Animal Models and Therapeutic Molecules

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses methods for the generation of chimaeric human-non-human antibodies and chimaeric antibody chains, antibodies and antibody chains so produced, and derivatives thereof including fully humanised antibodies; compositions comprising the antibodies, antibody chains and derivatives, as well as cells, non-human mammals and vectors, suitable for use in the methods.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/846,672 filed Mar. 18, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates inter alia to non-human animals and cells that are engineered to contain exogenous DNA, such as human immunoglobulin gene DNA, their use in medicine and the study of disease, methods for production of non-human animals and cells, and antibodies and antibody chains produced by such animals and derivatives thereof.

In order to get around the problems of humanizing antibodies a number of companies set out to generate mice with human immune systems. The strategy used was to knockout the heavy and light chain loci in ES cells and complement these genetic lesions with transgenes designed to express the human heavy and light chain genes. Although fully human antibodies could be generated, these models have several major limitations:

(i) The size of the heavy and light chain loci (each several Mb) made it impossible to introduce the entire loci into these models. As a result the transgenic lines recovered had a very limited repertoire of V-regions, most of the constant regions were missing and important distant enhancer regions were not included in the transgenes. (ii) The very low efficiency of generating the large insert transgenic lines and the complexity and time required to cross each of these into the heavy and light chain knockout strains and make them homozygous again, restricted the number of transgenic lines which could be analysed for optimal expression. (iii) Individual antibody affinities rarely reached those which could be obtained from intact (non-transgenic) animals.

WO2007117410 discloses chimaeric constructs for expressing chimaeric antibodies. WO2010039900 discloses knock in cells and mammals having a genome encoding chimaeric antibodies.

The present invention provides, inter alia, a process for the generation in non-human mammals of antibodies that comprise a human Ig variable region, and further provides non-human animal models for the generation of such antibodies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

All nucleotide co-ordinates for the mouse are those corresponding to NCBI m37 for the mouse C57BL/6J strain, e.g. April 2007 ENSEMBL Release 55.37h, e.g. NCBI37 July 2007 (NCBI build 37) (e.g. UCSC version mm9 see World Wide Web (www) genome.ucsc.edu and World Wide Web (www) genome.ucsc.edu/FAQ/FAQreleases.html) unless otherwise specified. Human nucleotides coordinates are those corresponding to GRCh37 (e.g. UCSC version hg 19, World Wide Web (www) genome.ucsc.edu/FAQ/FAQreleases.html), February 2009 ENSEMBL Release 55.37, or are those corresponding to NCBI36, Ensemble release 54 unless otherwise specified. Rat nucleotides are those corresponding to RGSC 3.4 Dec. 2004 ENSEMBL release 55.34w, or Baylor College of Medicine HGSC v3.4 Nov. 2004 (e.g., UCSC m4, see World Wide Web (www) genome.ucsc.edu and World Wide Web (www) genome.ucsc.edu/FAQ/FAQreleases.html) unless otherwise specified.

In the present invention, methods are disclosed for constructing a chimaeric human heavy and light chain loci in a non-human mammal, for example a mouse. Reference to work in mice herein is by way of example only, and reference to mice is taken to include reference to all non-human mammals unless otherwise apparent from the disclosure, with mice being preferred as the non-human mammal.

In one aspect the invention relates to a non-human mammal whose genome comprises:

-   -   (a) a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D         regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the host         non-human mammal constant region; and     -   (b) optionally one or more human Ig light chain kappa V regions         and one or more human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of         the host non-human mammal kappa constant region and/or one or         more human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or more human         Ig light chain lambda J regions upstream of the host non-human         mammal lambda constant region;         wherein the non-human mammal is able to produce a repertoire of         chimaeric antibodies, or chimaeric light or heavy chains, having         a non-human mammal constant region and a human variable region.

In one aspect the invention relates to non-human mammal whose genome comprises

-   -   (a) a plurality of human Ig light chain kappa V regions and one         or more human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of the         host non-human mammal kappa constant region and/or a plurality         of human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or more human         Ig light chain lambda J regions upstream of the host non-human         mammal lambda constant region; and     -   (b) optionally one or more human IgH V regions, one or more         human D regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the         host non-human mammal constant region;         wherein the non-human mammal is able to produce a repertoire of         chimaeric antibodies, or chimaeric light or heavy chains, having         a non-human mammal constant region and a human variable region.

In one aspect the invention relates to non-human mammalian cell whose genome comprises

-   -   (a) a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D         regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the host         non-human mammal constant region and     -   (b) optionally one or more human Ig light chain kappa V regions         and one or more human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of         the host non-human mammal kappa constant region and/or one or         more human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or more human         Ig light chain lambda J regions upstream of the host non-human         mammal lambda constant region.

In one aspect the invention relates to a non-human mammalian cell whose genome comprises

-   -   (a) a plurality of human Ig light chain kappa V regions and one         or more human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of the         host non-human mammal kappa constant region and/or a plurality         of human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or more human         Ig light chain lambda J regions upstream of the host non-human         mammal lambda constant region; and     -   (b) optionally one or more human IgH V regions, one or more         human D regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the         host non-human mammal constant region;

In a further aspect the invention relates to a method for producing a non-human cell or mammal comprising inserting into a non-human mammal cell genome, such as an ES cell genome;

-   -   (a) a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D         regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the host         non-human mammal constant region; and     -   (b) optionally one or more human Ig light chain kappa V regions         and one or more human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of         the host non-human mammal kappa constant region and/or one or         more human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or more human         Ig light chain lambda J regions upstream of the host non-human         mammal lambda constant region; respectively, the insertion being         such that the non-human cell or mammal is able to produce a         repertoire of chimaeric antibodies having a non-human mammal         constant region and a human variable region, wherein steps (a)         and (b) can be carried out in either order and each of steps (a)         and (b) can be carried out in a stepwise manner or as a single         step. Insertion may be by homologous recombination.

In a further aspect the invention relates to a method for producing an antibody or antibody chain specific to a desired antigen the method comprising immunizing a transgenic non-human mammal as disclosed herein with the desired antigen and recovering the antibody or antibody chain.

In a further aspect the invention relates to a method for producing a fully humanised antibody comprising immunizing a transgenic non-human mammal as disclosed herein with the desired antigen, recovering the antibody or cells producing the antibody and then replacing the non-human mammal constant region with a human constant region, for example by protein or DNA engineering.

In a further aspect the invention relates to humanised antibodies and antibody chains produced according to the present invention, both in chimaeric (for example, mouse-human) and fully humanised form, as well as fragments and derivatives of said antibodies and chains, and use of said antibodies, chains and fragments in medicine, including diagnosis.

In a further aspect the invention relates to use of a non-human mammal as described herein as a model for the testing of drugs and vaccines.

In one aspect the invention relates to a non-human mammal whose genome comprises:

-   -   (a) a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D         regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the host         non-human mammal constant region; and     -   (b) optionally one or more human Ig light chain kappa V regions         and one or more human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of         the host non-human mammal kappa constant region and/or one or         more human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or more human         Ig light chain lambda J regions upstream of the host non-human         mammal lambda constant region;         wherein the non-human mammal is able to produce a repertoire of         chimaeric antibodies or antibody chains having a non-human         mammal constant region and a human variable region.

In a further aspect the invention relates to a non-human mammal whose genome comprises:

-   -   (a) a plurality of human Ig light chain kappa V regions and one         or more human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of the         host non-human mammal kappa constant region and/or a plurality         of human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or more human         Ig light chain lambda J regions upstream of the host non-human         mammal lambda constant region; and     -   (b) optionally one or more human IgH V regions, one or more         human D regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the         host non-human mammal constant;         wherein the non-human mammal is able to produce a repertoire of         chimaeric antibodies having a non-human mammal constant region         and a human variable region.

Optionally the non-human mammal genome is modified to prevent expression of fully host-species specific antibodies.

In one aspect the inserted human DNA comprises at least 50% of the human heavy chain variable (V) genes, such as at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, and in one aspect all of the human V genes.

In one aspect the inserted human DNA comprises at least 50% of the human heavy chain diversity (D) genes, such as at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, and in one aspect all of the human D genes.

In one aspect the inserted human DNA comprises at least 50% of the human heavy chain joining (J) genes, such as at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, and in one aspect all of the human J genes.

In one aspect the inserted human DNA comprises at least 50% of the human light chain Variable (V) genes, such as at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, and in one aspect all of the human light chain V genes.

In one aspect the inserted human DNA comprises at least 50% of the human light chain joining (J) genes, such as at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, and in one aspect all of the human light chain J genes.

The inserted human genes may be derived from the same individual or different individuals, or be synthetic or represent human consensus sequences.

Although the number of V D and J regions is variable between human individuals, in one aspect there are considered to be 51 human V genes, 27 D and 6 J genes on the heavy chain, 40 human V genes and 5 J genes on the kappa light chain and 29 human V genes and 4 J genes on the lambda light chain (Janeway and Travers, Immunobiology, Third edition)

In one aspect the human heavy chain locus inserted into the non-human mammal contains the full repertoire of human V, D and J regions, which in the genome is in functional arrangement with the non-human mammal constant regions such that functional chimaeric antibodies can be produced between the human variable and non-human mammal constant regions. This total inserted human heavy chain genetic material is referred to herein as the human IgH VDJ region, and comprises DNA from a human genome that encodes all the exons encoding human V,D and J portions and suitably also the associated introns. Similarly, reference to the human Ig light chain kappa V and J regions herein refers to human DNA comprising all the exons encoding V and J regions and suitably also the associated introns of the human genome. Reference to the human Ig light chain lambda V and J regions herein refers to human DNA comprising all the exons encoding V and J regions and suitably also the associated introns of the human genome.

Human variable regions are suitably inserted upstream of a non-human mammal constant region, the latter comprising all of the DNA required to encode the full constant region or a sufficient portion of the constant region to allow the formation of an effective chimaeric antibody capable of specifically recognising an antigen.

In one aspect the chimaeric antibodies or antibody chains have a part of a host constant region sufficient to provide one or more effector functions seen in antibodies occurring naturally in a host mammal, for example that they are able interact with Fc receptors, and/or bind to complement.

Reference to a chimaeric antibody or antibody chain having a host non mammal constant region herein therefore is not limited to the complete constant region but also includes chimaeric antibodies or chains which have all of the host constant region, or a part thereof sufficient to provide one or more effector functions. This also applies to non-human mammals and cells and methods of the invention in which human variable region DNA may be inserted into the host genome such that it forms a chimaeric antibody chain with all or part of a host constant region. In one aspect the whole of a host constant region is operably linked to human variable region DNA.

The host non-human mammal constant region herein is preferably the endogenous host wild-type constant region located at the wild type locus, as appropriate for the heavy or light chain. For example, the human heavy chain DNA is suitably inserted on mouse chromosome 12, suitably adjacent the mouse heavy chain constant region.

In one aspect the insertion of the human DNA, such as the human VDJ region is targeted to the region between the J4 exon and the Cμ locus in the mouse genome IgH locus, and in one aspect is inserted between co-ordinates 114,667,090 and 114,665,190, or at co-ordinate 114,667,091, after 114,667,090. In one aspect the insertion of the human DNA, such as the human light chain kappa VJ is targeted into mouse chromosome 6 between co-ordinates 70,673,899 and 70,675,515, suitably at position 70,674,734, or an equivalent position in the lambda mouse locus on chromosome 16.

In one aspect the host non-human mammal constant region for forming the chimaeric antibody may be at a different (non endogenous) chromosomal locus. In this case the inserted human DNA, such as the human variable VDJ or VJ region(s) may then be inserted into the non-human genome at a site which is distinct from that of the naturally occurring heavy or light constant region. The native constant region may be inserted into the genome, or duplicated within the genome, at a different chromosomal locus to the native position, such that it is in a functional arrangement with the human variable region such that chimaeric antibodies of the invention can still be produced.

In one aspect the human DNA is inserted at the endogenous host wild-type constant region located at the wild type locus between the host constant region and the host VDJ region.

Reference to location of the variable region upstream of the non-human mammal constant region means that there is a suitable relative location of the two antibody portions, variable and constant, to allow the variable and constant regions to form a chimaeric antibody or antibody chain in vivo in the mammal. Thus, the inserted human DNA and host constant region are in functional arrangement with one another for antibody or antibody chain production.

In one aspect the inserted human DNA is capable of being expressed with different host constant regions through isotype switching. In one aspect isotype switching does not require or involve trans switching. Insertion of the human variable region DNA on the same chromosome as the relevant host constant region means that there is no need for trans-switching to produce isotype switching.

As explained above, the transgenic loci used for the prior art models were of human origin, thus even in those cases when the transgenes were able to complement the mouse locus so that the mice produced B-cells producing fully human antibodies, individual antibody affinities rarely reached those which could be obtained from intact (non-transgenic) animals. The principal reason for this (in addition to repertoire and expression levels described above) is the fact that the control elements of the locus are human. Thus, the signalling components, for instance to activate hyper-mutation and selection of high affinity antibodies are compromised.

In contrast, in the present invention, host non-human mammal constant regions are maintained and it is preferred that at least one non-human mammal enhancer or other control sequence, such as a switch region, is maintained in functional arrangement with the non-human mammal constant region, such that the effect of the enhancer or other control sequence, as seen in the host mammal, is exerted in whole or in part in the transgenic animal.

This approach above is designed to allow the full diversity of the human locus to be sampled, to allow the same high expression levels that would be achieved by non-human mammal control sequences such as enhancers, and is such that signalling in the B-cell, for example isotype switching using switch recombination sites, would still use non-human mammal sequences.

A mammal having such a genome would produce chimaeric antibodies with human variable and non-human mammal constant regions, but these could be readily humanized, for example in a cloning step. Moreover the in vivo efficacy of these chimaeric antibodies could be assessed in these same animals.

In one aspect the inserted human IgH VDJ region comprises, in germline configuration, all of the V, D and J regions and intervening sequences from a human.

In one aspect 800-1000 kb of the human IgH VDJ region is inserted into the non-human mammal IgH locus, and in one aspect a 940, 950 or 960 kb fragment is inserted. Suitably this includes bases 105,400,051 to 106,368,585 from human chromosome 14.

In one aspect the inserted IgH human fragment consists of bases 105,400,051 to 106,368,585 from chromosome 14. In one aspect the inserted human heavy chain DNA, such as DNA consisting of bases 105,400,051 to 106,368,585 from chromosome 14, is inserted into mouse chromosome 12 between the end of the mouse J4 region and the Eμ region, suitably between co-ordinates 114,667,090 and 114,665,190, or at co-ordinate 114,667,091, after 114,667,090. In one aspect the insertion is between co-ordinates 114,667,089 and 114,667,090 (co-ordinates refer to NCBI m37, for the mouse C57BL/6J strain), or at equivalent position in another non-human mammal genome.

In one aspect the inserted human kappa VJ region comprises, in germline configuration, all of the V and J regions and intervening sequences from a human. Suitably this includes bases 88,940,356 to 89,857,000 from human chromosome 2, suitably approximately 917 kb. In a further aspect the light chain VJ insert may comprise only the proximal clusters of V segments and J segments. Such an insert would be of approximately 473 kb. In one aspect the human light chain kappa DNA, such as the human IgK fragment of bases 88,940,356 to 89,857,000 from human chromosome 2, is suitably inserted into mouse chromosome 6 between co-ordinates 70,673,899 and 70,675,515, suitably at position 70,674,734. These co-ordinates refer to NCBI36 for the human genome, ENSEMBL Release 54 and NCBIM37 for the mouse genome, relating to mouse strain C57BL/6J.

In one aspect the human lambda VJ region comprises, in germline configuration, all of the V and J regions and intervening sequences from a human.

Suitably this includes analogous bases to those selected for the kappa fragment, from human chromosome 2.

A cell or non-human mammal of the invention, in one embodiment, comprises an insertion of human heavy chain variable region DNA between co-ordinates 114, 666, 183 and 114, 666, 725, such as between 114 666 283 and 114 666 625, optionally between co-ordinates 114,666,335 and 114,666,536, optionally between 114,666,385 and 114,666,486, or between 114,666,425 and 114,666,446, or between 114,666,435 and 114,666,436 of mouse chromosome 12 with reference to NCBIM37 for the mouse genome, relating to mouse strain C57BL/6J or an equivalent position of mouse chromosome 12 from a different mouse strain or an equivalent position in the genome of another non-human vertebrate, e.g., a rat. The insertion between co-ordinates 114,666,435 and 114,666,436 relating to mouse strain C57BL/6J is equivalent to an insertion between co-ordinates 1207826 and 1207827 on chromosome 12 with reference to the 129/SvJ genomic sequence of the GenBank® access number NT114985.2. An insertion may be made at equivalent position in another genome, such as another mouse genome. In an example of this embodiment, the cell or mammal of the invention comprises a human IgH VDJ region which comprises or consists of nucleotides 106,328,851-107,268,544, such as nucleotides 106,328,901-107,268,494, such as nucleotides 106,328,941-107,268,454, such as nucleotides 106,328,951-107,268,444 of human Chromosome 14, with reference to the GRCH37/hg19 sequence database, or insertion of equivalent nucleotides relating to chromosome 14 from a different human sequence or database. The human insertion may be made between the regions indicated above.

A cell or mammal of the invention, in one embodiment, comprises an insertion of the human kappa VJ region, suitably comprising or consisting of, in germline configuration, all of the V and J regions and intervening sequences from a human, the insertion of the human DNA being made between co-ordinates 70,673,918-70,675,517, such as between co-ordinates 70, 674,418 and 70 675, 017, such as between co-ordinates 70,674, 655-70,674,856, such as between co-ordinates 70,674, 705-70,674,906, such as between co-ordinates 70,674, 745-70,674,766, such as between co-ordinates 70,674,755 and 70,674,756 of mouse chromosome 6, numbering with reference to NCBIM37 for the mouse genome, relating to mouse strain C57BL/6J, or an insertion at an equivalent position in another genome, such as another mouse genome. In an example of this embodiment, a cell or mammal of the invention comprises an insertion of nucleotides 89,159,079-89,630,437 and/or 89,941,714-90,266,976 of human chromosome 2 with reference to the GRCH37/hg19 sequence database (or equivalent nucleotides relating to chromosome 2 from a different human sequence or database), such as an insertion of these 2 discrete fragments without the intervening sequence, or an insertion of the complete 89,159,079-90,266,976 region.

The insertion may comprise, or consist, of:

-   -   (i) nucleotides 89,158,979-89,630,537, such as         89,159,029-89,630,487, such as 89,159,069-89,630,447, such as         89,159,079-89,630,437, optionally in addition to fragment (ii)         below     -   (ii) nucleotides 89,941,614-90,267,076, such as         89,941,664-90,267,026, such as 89, 941,704-90,266,986, such as         89,941,714-90,266,976; optionally in addition to fragment (i)     -   (iii) nucleotides 89,158,979-90,267,076, such as nucleotides         89,159,079-90,266,976.

The human insertion may be made between the regions indicated above.

In an embodiment, a cell or mammal of the invention comprises an insertion of a human lambda region which comprises at least one human Jλ region (eg, a germline region) and at least one human Cλ region (eg, a germline region), optionally C_(λ)6 and/or C_(λ)7. For example, the cell or mammal comprises a plurality of human Jλ regions, optionally two or more of J_(λ)1, J_(λ)2, J_(λ)6 and J_(λ)7, optionally all of V_(λ)1, J_(λ)2, J_(λ)6 and J_(λ)7. In an example, the cell or mammal comprises at least one human J_(λ)-C_(λ) cluster, optionally at least J_(λ)7-C_(λ)7.

In one aspect the human JC cluster is inserted 3′ of the last endogenous J lambda or is inserted 3′ of the last endogenous J kappa region, suitably immediately 3′ of these sequences, or substantially immediately 3′ of these sequences.

In one aspect the insertion into the mouse lambda locus is made downstream of the endogenous C1 gene segment, for example where there is a 3′ J1C1 cluster, suitably immediately 3′ of the C1 segment, or substantially immediately 3′ of the segment.

In one aspect (e.g. cell or non-human mammal) a human JC cluster is inserted into a kappa locus and any resulting cell or animal is heterozygous at that locus, such that the cell has one chromosome with human lambda DNA inserted into the kappa locus, and another chromosome with human kappa DNA at the endogenous kappa locus.

In an embodiment, a cell or mammal of the invention comprises a human Eλ enhancer.

A cell or mammal may of the invention comprise an inserted human lambda VJ region, suitably comprising or consisting of, in germline configuration, all of the V and J regions and intervening sequences from a human, the inserted region comprises or consisting of nucleotides 22,375,509-23,327,984, such as nucleotides 22,375,559-23,327,934, such as nucleotides 22,375,599-23,327,894, such as nucleotides 22,375,609-23,327,884 from human Chromosome 22, with reference to the GRCH37/hg19 sequence database, or equivalent DNA from another human sequence or database. The insertion into the mouse genome may be made between co-ordinates 19,027,763 and 19,061,845, such as between co-ordinates 19, 037, 763 and 19, 051, 845, such as between co-ordinates 19,047,451 and 19,047,652, such as between co-ordinates 19,047,491 and 19,047,602, such as between co-ordinates 19,047,541 and 19,047,562, such as between co-ordinates 19,047,551 and 19,047,552 of mouse Chromosome 16 (with reference to NCBIM37 for the mouse genome, relating to mouse strain C57BL/6J, equivalent to co-ordinates 1,293,646-1,293,647 of the 129 SvJ genomic sequence in the sequence file of NT_039630.4), or may be an insertion at an equivalent position in other genome, such as another mouse genome. The insertion of the human lambda nucleic acid into the mouse genome may alternatively be made between co-ordinates 70,673,918 and 70,675,517, such as between co-ordinates 70, 674,418 and 70 675, 017, such as between co-ordinates 70,674,655 and 70,674,856, such as between co-ordinates 70,674,705 and 70,674,806, such as between co-ordinates 70,674,745 and 70,674,766, such as between co-ordinates 70,674,755 and 70,674,756 of mouse

Chromosome 6 (with reference to NCBIM37 for the mouse genome, relating to mouse strain C57BL/6J) or equivalent in another genome. The human insertion may be made between the regions indicated above.

All specific human fragments described above may vary in length, and may for example be longer or shorter than defined as above, such as 500 bases, 1 KB, 2K, 3K, 4K, 5 KB, 10 KB, 20 KB, 30 KB, 40 KB or 50 KB or more, which suitably comprise all or part of the human V(D)J region, whilst preferably retaining the requirement for the final insert to comprise human genetic material encoding the complete heavy chain region and light chain region, as appropriate, as described above.

In one aspect the 5′ end of the human insert described above is increased in length. Where the insert is generated in a stepwise fashion then the increase in length is generally in respect of the upstream (5′) clone.

In one aspect the 3′ end of the last inserted human gene, generally the last human J gene to be inserted is less than 2 kb, preferably less than 1 KB from the human-mouse join region.

In one aspect the non-human mammal comprises some or all of the human light chain kappa VJ region as disclosed herein but not the human light chain lambda VJ region.

In one aspect the cell or non-human mammal comprises a fully human lambda locus (lambda VJC regions from a human), a chimaeric kappa locus (human kappa VJ regions operatively linked to a host kappa constant region) and a chimaeric heavy chain locus, having a human VDJ region operatively linked to a host heavy chain constant region.

In a further aspect the genome comprises an insertion of V, D (heavy chain only) and J genes as described herein at the heavy chain locus and one light chain locus, or at the heavy chain locus and both light chain loci. Preferably the genome is homozygous at one, or both, or all three loci.

In another aspect the genome may be heterozygous at one or more of the loci, such as heterozygous for DNA encoding a chimaeric antibody chain and native (host cell) antibody chain. In one aspect the genome may be heterozygous for DNA capable of encoding 2 different antibody chains of the invention, for example, comprising 2 different chimaeric heavy chains or 2 different chimaeric light chains.

In one aspect the invention relates to a non-human mammal or cell, and methods for producing said mammal or cell, as described herein, wherein the inserted human DNA, such as the human IgH VDJ region and/or light chain V, J regions are found on only one allele and not both alleles in the mammal or cell. In this aspect a mammal or cell has the potential to express both an endogenous host antibody heavy or light chain and a chimaeric heavy or light chain.

In a further aspect of the invention the human VDJ region, or light chain VJ region, is not used in its entirety, but parts of the equivalent human VDJ or VJ region, such as the exons, from other species may be used, such as one or more V, D, or J exons from other species, or regulatory sequences from other species. In one aspect the sequences used in place of the human sequences are not human or mouse. In one aspect the sequences used may be from rodent, or, primate such as chimp. For example, 1, 2, 3, 4, or more, or all of the J regions from a primate other than a human may be used to replace, one, 2, 3, 4, or more or all of the human J exons in the VDJ/VJ region of the cells and animals of the invention.

In a further aspect the inserted human DNA, such as the human IgH VDJ region, and/or light chain VJ regions, may be inserted such that they are operably linked in the genome with a mu constant region from a non-human, non-mouse species, such as a rodent or primate sequence, such as a rat sequence.

Other non-human, non-mouse species from which DNA elements may be used in the present invention include rabbits, lamas, dromedary, alpacas, camels and sharks.

In one aspect the inserted human DNA, such as the human VDJ or VJ region, is not operably linked to the endogenous host mu sequence but rather to a non-host mu sequence.

Operable linkage suitably allows production of an antibody heavy or light chain comprising the human variable region.

In one aspect the inserted human DNA, such as the human IgH VDJ region (and/or light chain VJ regions) may be inserted into the host chromosome together with mu constant region nucleic acid which is not host mu constant region nucleic acid, and preferably is a mu constant region from a non-mouse, non-human species. Suitably the inserted human DNA, such as the human VDJ region (and/or light chain VJ regions) is operably linked to a non-human, non-mouse mu, and is able to form a chimaeric antibody heavy or light chain. In another aspect a non-mouse, non-human mu may be inserted into the host chromosome on a separate genetic element to that of the human variable region, or at a different location in the genome, suitably operably linked to the variable region such that a chimaeric antibody heavy or light can be formed.

In an additional aspect the invention relates to a non-human mammal or a cell whose genome comprises a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D regions and one or more human J regions upstream of a host non-human mammal light chain constant region, arranged such that the cell or mammal is able to express a chimaeric antibody chain. The invention also relates to a non-human mammal or a cell whose genome additionally or alternatively comprises a plurality of human Ig light chain V regions, and one or more human J regions upstream of a host non-human mammal heavy chain constant region, such that the cell or mammal is able to express a chimaeric antibody chain. The cell or mammal may be able to express an antibody having both heavy and light chains, including at least one chimaeric antibody chain, as disclosed above.

The inserted human heavy chain variable regions may be any of those described herein, and may be inserted at the positions described above for insertion 5′ of the lambda and kappa constant regions. Likewise the inserted human light chain variable regions may be those described above, and may be inserted at the positions described above for insertion 5′ of the heavy chain constant region.

For example, the genome or the cell or non-human mammal of the invention may encode an antibody comprising an antibody chain having a human heavy chain variable region upstream of a mouse light chain constant region, or an antibody chain having a human light chain variable region upstream of a mouse heavy chain constant region, in combination with one of:

-   -   a fully human antibody light chain;     -   a fully human antibody heavy chain;     -   a non-human vertebrate (e.g., mouse or rat) antibody light         chain;     -   a non-human vertebrate (e.g., mouse or rat) antibody heavy         chain;     -   a chimaeric non-human vertebrate (e.g., mouse or rat)—human         antibody chain;     -   an antibody chain having a human heavy chain variable region         upstream of a non-human vertebrate (e.g., mouse or rat) light         chain constant region;     -   an antibody chain having a human light chain variable region         upstream of a non-human vertebrate (e.g., mouse or rat) heavy         chain constant region.

The invention also relates to a transgene encoding a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D regions and one or more human J regions upstream of a host non-human mammal light chain constant region, optionally comprised within a vector.

The invention also relates to a transgene encoding a plurality of human Ig light chain V regions, and one or more human light chain J regions upstream of a host non-human mammal heavy chain constant region, optionally comprised within a vector.

In one aspect the invention relates to a cell, or non-human mammal, the genome of which comprises: one or more human Ig light chain kappa V regions and one or more human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of all or part of the human kappa constant region.

In another aspect the invention relates to a cell, or non-human mammal, the genome of which comprises: one or more human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or more human Ig light chain lambda J regions upstream of all or part of the human lambda constant region.

Suitably the light chain VJ and C regions are able to form antibody chains in vivo capable of specifically reacting with an antigen.

In one aspect of the invention there is no non-human coding sequence in the inserted light chain region.

In such aspects a human kappa and/or lambda region is inserted into the genome, in combination with insertion of the heavy chain VDJ region or part thereof, upstream of the host heavy chain constant region as disclosed herein.

The cell or non-human mammal of the invention may comprise:

-   -   (a) a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D         regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the host         non-human mammal constant region; and     -   (b) one or more human Ig light chain kappa V regions and one or         more human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of all or         part of the non-human kappa constant region, wherein the         non-human mammal is able to produce a repertoire of antibodies         having an antibody chain comprising non-human mammal constant         region and a human variable region.

The cell or non-human mammal of the invention may comprise

-   -   (a) a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D         regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the host         non-human mammal constant region; and     -   one or more human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or         more human Ig light chain lambda J regions upstream of the host         non-human mammal lambda constant region; wherein the non-human         mammal is able to produce a repertoire of antibodies having an         antibody chain comprising a non-human mammal constant region and         a human variable region.

Suitably the insertion of the human VJC light chain DNA, or part thereof as disclosed above, is made at the equivalent mouse locus. In one aspect the human light chain kappa VJC DNA, or part thereof, is inserted immediately upstream or downstream of the mouse kappa VJC region. In one aspect, the human light chain lambda VJC region or part thereof is inserted immediately upstream or downstream of the mouse lambda VJC region. In one aspect only the human kappa VJC locus is inserted and not the human lambda VJC locus. In one aspect only the human lambda VJC locus is inserted and not the human kappa VJC locus. Insertions may be made using the techniques disclosed herein, and suitably do not remove the host sequences from the genome. In one aspect the non-human mammal host VJC sequences may be inactivated in some way, by mutation, or inversion, or by insertion of the human variable region DNA, or by any other means. In one aspect the cell or non-human mammal of the invention may comprise an insertion of the complete VJC human region.

The human kappa variable region DNA might be inserted into the genome in functional arrangement with a lambda constant region, for example inserted upstream of a lambda constant region. Alternatively human lambda region variable DNA might be inserted in functional arrangement with a kappa constant region, for example inserted upstream of a kappa constant region.

In one aspect one or more non-human mammal control sequences such as the enhancer sequence(s) is maintained upstream of the nonhuman mammal Mu constant region, suitably in its native position with respect to the distance from the constant region.

In one aspect one or more non-human mammal control sequences such as an enhancer sequence(s) are maintained downstream of the nonhuman mammal Mu constant region, suitably in its native position with respect to the distance from the constant region.

In one aspect a non-human mammal switch sequence, suitably the endogenous switch sequence, is maintained upstream of the non-human mammal Mu constant region, suitably in its native position with respect to distance from the constant region.

In such location the host enhancer or switch sequences are operative in vivo with the host constant region sequence(s).

In one aspect a switch sequence is neither human, nor native in the non-human mammal, for example in one aspect a non-human mammal switch sequence is not a mouse or human switch sequence. The switch sequence may be, for example, a rodent or primate sequence, or a synthetic sequence. In particular the switch sequence may be a rat sequence where the non-human mammal is a mouse. By way of example, a mouse or human constant mu sequence may be placed under the control of a switch sequence from a rat, or chimp, or other switch sequence, suitably capable of allowing isotype switching to occur in vivo.

In one aspect the switch sequence of the invention is a switch sequence comprising 3, 4, 5, 6 or more (up to 82) contiguous repeats of the repeat sequence GGGCT (SEQ ID no 46-50), such as a rat switch sequence. By “rat switch” herein it is meant that the switch is a wild-type switch corresponding to a switch from a rat genome or derived from such a switch.

In one aspect the switch sequence of the invention is a rat switch sequence comprising the following repeats: GAGCT (296 repeats; SEQ ID No 18), GGGGT (50 repeats; SEQ ID No 19), and GGGCT (83 repeats; SEQ ID No 20).

In one example the rat switch sequence comprises or consists of the sequence of SEQ ID no 1.

In these embodiments, and where the non-human mammal is a mouse or the cell is a mouse cell, the switch is optionally a rat switch as described herein.

Alternatively, the switch sequence present in cells or mammal of the invention is a mouse switch, eg, is from a mouse such as a mouse 129 strain or mouse C57 strain, or from a strain derived therefrom, optionally comprising or consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID no 4 or 5. By “mouse switch” herein it is meant that the switch is a wild-type switch corresponding to a switch from a mouse genome or derived from such a switch. In this embodiment, and where the non-human mammal is a mouse or the cell is a mouse cell, the mouse switch sequence is optionally the endogenous switch or is a mouse switch from another mouse strain.

The cell or mammal of the invention may therefore comprise a human or non-human mammal switch sequence and a human or non-human mammal enhancer region or regions. They may be upstream of a human or non-human mammal constant region. Preferably the control sequences are able to direct expression or otherwise control the production of antibodies comprising a constant region with which they are associated. One combination envisaged is a rat switch with mouse enhancer sequences and mouse constant regions in a mouse cell.

In one aspect the invention relates to a cell, preferably a non-human cell, or non-human mammal comprising an immunoglobulin heavy chain or light chain locus having DNA from 3 or more species. For example, the cell or animal may comprise host cell constant region DNA, one or more human V, D or J coding sequences and one or more non-human, non-host DNA regions that are able to control a region of the immunoglobulin locus, such as a switch sequence, promoter or enhancer which are able to control expression or isotype switching in vivo of the Ig DNA. In one aspect the cell or animal is a mouse and comprises additionally human DNA from the human Ig locus and additionally a non-mouse DNA sequence, such as a rat DNA sequence, capable of regulation of the mouse or human DNA.

In another aspect the invention relates to a cell, preferably non-human cell, or non-human mammal comprising an immunoglobulin heavy chain or light chain locus having DNA from 2 or more different human genomes. For example, it could comprise heavy chain V(D)J sequences from more than one human genome within a heavy or light chain, or heavy chain VDJ DNA from one genome and light chain VJ sequences from a different genome.

In one aspect the invention relates to a DNA fragment or cell or non-human mammal comprising an immunoglobulin heavy chain or light chain locus, or part thereof, having DNA from 2 or more species, where one species contributes a non-coding region such as a regulatory region, and the other species coding regions such as V, D, J or constant regions.

In one aspect the human promoter and/or other control elements that are associated with the different human V, D or J regions are maintained after insertion of the human VDJ into the mouse genome.

In a further aspect one or more of the promoter elements, or other control elements, of the human regions, such as the human V regions, are optimised to interact with the transcriptional machinery of a non-human mammal.

Suitably a human coding sequence may be placed under the control of an appropriate non-human mammal promoter, which allows the human DNA to be transcribed efficiently in the appropriate non-human animal cell. In one aspect the human region is a human V region coding sequence, and a human V region is placed under the control of a non-human mammal promoter.

The functional replacement of human promoter or other control regions by non-human mammal promoter or control regions may be carried out by use of recombineering, or other recombinant DNA technologies, to insert a part of the human Ig region (such as a human V region) into a vector (such as a BAC) containing a non-human Ig region. The recombineering/recombinant technique suitably replaces a portion of the non-human (e.g. mouse) DNA with the human Ig region, and thus places the human Ig region under control of the non-human mammal promoter or other control region. Suitably the human coding region for a human V region replaces a mouse V region coding sequence. Suitably the human coding region for a human D region replaces a mouse D region coding sequence. Suitably the human coding region for a human J region replaces a mouse J region coding sequence. In this way human V, D or J regions may be placed under the control of a non-human mammal promoter, such as a mouse promoter.

In one aspect the only human DNA inserted into the non-human mammalian cell or animal are V, D or J coding regions, and these are placed under control of the host regulatory sequences or other (non-human, non-host) sequences, In one aspect reference to human coding regions includes both human introns and exons, or in another aspect simply exons and no introns, which may be in the form of cDNA.

It is also possible to use recombineering, or other recombinant DNA technologies, to insert a non-human-mammal (e.g. mouse) promoter or other control region, such as a promoter for a V region, into a BAC containing a human Ig region. A recombineering step then places a portion of human DNA under control of the mouse promoter or other control region.

The approaches described herein may also be used to insert some or all of the V, D and J regions from the human heavy chain upstream of a light chain constant region, rather than upstream of the heavy chain constant region. Likewise some or all of the human light chain V and J regions may be inserted upstream of the heavy chain constant region. Insertion may be at the endogenous constant region locus, for example between the endogenous constant and J region, and may be of some, or all, of the V, D or J genes alone, excluding promoter or enhancer sequences, or may be of some, or all, of the V, D or J genes with one or more or all respective promoter or enhancer sequences. In one aspect the full repertoire of V, D or J fragments in germline orientation may be inserted upstream and in functional arrangement with a host constant region.

Thus the present invention allows V and/or D and/or J regions from a human, or any species, to be inserted into a chromosome of a cell from a different species that comprises a constant region, allowing a chimaeric antibody chain to be expressed.

In one aspect the invention requires only that some human variable region DNA is inserted into the genome of a non-human mammal in operable arrangement with some, or all, of the human heavy chain constant region at the region of the endogenous heavy chain constant region locus such that an antibody chain can be produced. In this aspect of the invention and where human light chain DNA is additionally inserted, the light chain DNA insertion can be in the form of a completely human construct, having both human variable DNA and human constant region DNA, or have human variable region DNA and constant region DNA from a non-human, non-host species. Other variations are also possible, such as insertion of both of the light chain human variable region and host genome constant region. In addition the insertion of said light chain transgenes need not be at the equivalent endogenous locus, but may be anywhere in the genome. In such a scenario the cell or mammal may produce chimaeric heavy chains (comprising human variable region DNA and mouse constant region DNA) and light chains comprising human variable and human constant region DNA. Thus in one aspect of the invention the lambda and or kappa human variable region DNA can be inserted upstream of the endogenous locus, or downstream, or indeed on a different chromosome to the endogenous locus, and inserted with or without constant region DNA.

As well insertion of human light chain DNA upstream of the host non-human mammal constant region, a further aspect of the invention relates to insertion of one or both light chain human variable regions downstream of the equivalent endogenous locus constant region, or elsewhere in the genome.

Generally, insertion of human variable region DNA at or close to the equivalent endogenous locus in the recipient genome is preferred, for example within 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 kb of the boundary (upstream or downstream) of a host immunoglobulin locus.

Thus in one aspect the invention can relate to a cell or non-human mammal whose genome comprises:

-   -   (a) a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D         regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the host         non-human mammal constant region; and     -   (b) one or more human Ig light chain kappa V regions and one or         more human Ig light chain kappa J regions, and/or, one or more         human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or more human Ig         light chain lambda J regions;         wherein the non-human mammal is able to produce a repertoire of         chimaeric antibodies, or chimaeric light or heavy chains, having         a non-human mammal constant region and a human variable region.

In one particular aspect the genome of the cell or non-human mammal comprises:

-   -   a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D regions         and one or more human J regions upstream of the host non-human         mammal constant region;     -   one or more human Ig light chain kappa V regions and one or more         human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of the host         non-human mammal kappa constant region, and     -   one or more human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or         more human Ig light chain lambda J regions downstream of the         host non-human mammal lambda constant region,     -   optionally in which the human lambda variable region may be         inserted upstream or downstream of the endogenous host lambda         locus in operable linkage with a human lambda constant region,         such that the non-human mammal or cell can produce fully human         antibody light chains and chimaeric heavy chains.

In a further, different, aspect of the invention, the use of the methods of the invention allows a locus to be built up in a stepwise manner by sequential insertions, and thus allows for the insertion of human variable DNA together with human or non-human constant region DNA at any suitable location in the genome of a non-human host cell. For example, methods of the invention can be used to insert human immunoglobulin variable region DNA together with constant region DNA from the host genome anywhere in the genome of a non-human host cell, allowing a chimaeric antibody chain to be produced from a site other than the endogenous heavy region. Any human heavy chain or light chain DNA construct contemplated above can be inserted into any desired position into the genome of a non-human host cell using the techniques described herein. The present invention thus also relates to cells and mammals having genomes comprising such insertions.

The invention also relates to a vector, such as a BAC, comprising a human V, D or J region in a functional arrangement with a non-human mammal promoter, or other control sequence, such that the expression of the human V, D or J region is under the control of the non-human mammal promoter in a cell of the non-human mammal, such as an ES cell, in particular once inserted into the genome of that cell.

The invention also relates to cells and non-human mammals containing said cells, which cells or mammals have a human V, D or J region in a functional arrangement with a non-human mammal promoter, or other control sequence, such that the expression of the human V, D or J region is under the control of the non-human mammal promoter in the cells or mammal.

Generally, one aspect of the invention thus relates to a non-human mammal host cell capable of expression of a human V, D or J coding sequence under the control of a host promoter or control region, the expression capable of producing a humanised antibody having a human variable domain and non-human mammal constant region.

In one aspect the invention relates to a cell, such as a non mammalian cell, such as an ES cell, the genome of which comprises

-   -   (a) a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D         regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the host         non-human mammal constant region; and     -   (b) optionally one or more human Ig light chain kappa V regions         and one or more human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of         the host non-human mammal kappa constant region and/or one or         more human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or more human         Ig light chain lambda J regions upstream of the host non-human         mammal lambda constant region;

In another aspect the invention relates to a cell, such as a non-human mammal cells, such as ES cells whose genome comprises

-   -   (a) a plurality of human Ig light chain kappa V regions and one         or more human Ig light chain kappa J regions upstream of the         host non-human mammal kappa constant region and/or a plurality         of human Ig light chain lambda V regions and one or more human         Ig light chain lambda J regions upstream of the host non-human         mammal lambda constant region; and     -   (b) optionally one or more human IgH V regions, one or more         human D regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the         host non-human mammal constant region

In one aspect the cell is an ES cell is capable of developing into a non-human mammal able to produce a repertoire of antibodies which are chimaeric, said chimaeric antibodies having a non-human mammal constant region and a human variable region. Optionally the genome of the cell is modified to prevent expression of fully host-species specific antibodies.

In one aspect the cell is an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS cell).

In one aspect cells are isolated non-human mammalian cells.

In one aspect a cell as disclosed herein is preferably a non-human mammalian cell.

In one aspect the cell is a cell from a mouse strain selected from C57BL/6, M129 such as 129/SV, BALB/c, and any hybrid of C57BL/6, M129 such as 129/SV, or BALB/c.

The invention also relates to a cell line which is grown from or otherwise derived from cells as described herein, including an immortalised cell line. The cell line may comprise inserted human V, D or J genes as described herein, either in germline configuration or after rearrangement following in vivo maturation. The cell may be immortalised by fusion (eg, electrofusion or using PEG according to standard procedures.) to a tumour cell (eg, P3X63-Ag8.653 (obtainable from LGC Standards; CRL-1580), SP2/0-Ag14 (obtainable from ECACC), NSI or NSO), to provide an antibody producing cell and cell line, or be made by direct cellular immortalisation.

The present invention also relates to vectors for use in the invention. In one aspect such vectors are BACs (bacterial artificial chromosomes). It will be appreciated that other cloning vectors may be used in the invention, and therefore reference to BACs herein may be taken to refer generally to any suitable vector.

In one aspect BACs used for generation of human DNA to be inserted, such as the VDJ or VJ regions are trimmed so that in the final human VDJ or VJ region or part thereof in the non-human mammal, no sequence is duplicated or lost when compared to the original human genomic sequence.

In one aspect the invention relates to a vector comprising an insert, preferably comprising a region of human DNA from some of the human VDJ or VJ locus, flanked by DNA which is not from that locus. The flanking DNA may comprise one or more selectable markers or one or more site specific recombination sites. In one aspect the vector comprises 2 or more, such as 3, heterospecific and incompatible site specific recombination sites. In one aspect the site specific recombination sites may be loxP sites, or variants thereof, or FRT sites or variants thereof. In one aspect the vector comprises one or more transposon ITR (inverted terminal repeat) sequences.

In one aspect the non-human animals of the invention suitably do not produce any fully humanised antibodies. In one aspect this is because there is no DNA inserted from the human constant region. Alternatively there is no human constant region DNA in the genome capable of forming an antibody in conjunction with the inserted human variable region DNA component, for example due to mutation within any human constant region DNA or distance from any constant region human DNA and human variable region DNA.

In one aspect human light chain constant region DNA may be included in the cell genome, such that a fully human lambda or kappa human antibody chain might be generated, but this would only be able to form an antibody with a chimaeric heavy chain, and not produce a fully human antibody having human variable and constant regions.

In one aspect the non-human mammal genome is modified to prevent expression of fully host-species specific antibodies. Fully host species specific antibodies are antibodies that have both variable and constant regions from the host organism. In this context the term ‘specific’ is not intended to relate to the binding of the antibodies produced by the cells or animals of the invention but rather to the origin of the DNA which encodes those antibodies.

In one aspect the non-human mammal genome is modified to prevent expression of the native (fully host species specific) antibodies in the mammal by inactivation of all or a part of the host non-human mammal Ig loci. In this context, inactivation or prevention of endogenous antibody or gene segment usage (using any inactivation technique described herein) is, for example, substantially complete inactivation or prevention (substantially 100%, ie, essentially none (eg, less than 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0.5%) of the endogenous antibody chain (eg, no endogenous heavy chains) is expressed). This can be determined, for example, at the antibody chain (protein) level by assessing the antibody repertoire produced by the non-human vertebrate, mammal or at the nucleotide level by assessing mRNA transcripts of antibody chain loci, eg, using RACE. In an embodiment, inactivation is more than 50% (ie, 50% or less of the antibodies or transcripts are of an endogenous antibody chain), 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%. For example, in an embodiment, endogenous heavy chain expression is substantially inactivated such that no more than 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the heavy chain repertoire of the vertebrate (mammal) is provided by endogenous heavy chains. For example, endogenous heavy chain expression is substantially inactivated such that substantially none of the heavy chain repertoire of the vertebrate (mammal) is provided by endogenous heavy chains. For example, in an embodiment, endogenous heavy chain expression is substantially inactivated such that no more than 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the kappa chain repertoire of the vertebrate (mammal) is provided by endogenous kappa chains. For example, endogenous kappa chain expression is substantially inactivated such that substantially none of the kappa chain repertoire of the vertebrate (mammal) is provided by endogenous kappa chains. For example, in an embodiment, endogenous heavy chain expression is substantially inactivated such that no more than 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% of the lambda chain repertoire of the vertebrate (mammal) is provided by endogenous lambda chains. For example, endogenous lambda chain expression is substantially inactivated such that substantially none of the lambda chain repertoire of the vertebrate (mammal) is provided by endogenous lambda chains.

In one aspect this is achieved by inversion of all or part of the non-human mammal VDJ region, or VJ region, optionally by insertion of one or more site specific recombinase sites into the genome and then use of these sites in recombinase-mediated excision or inversion of all or a part of the non-human mammal Ig locus. In one aspect a double inversion, may be employed, the first to move the V(D)Js away from the endogenous locus and then a more local inversion which puts them in the correct orientation. In one aspect a single/oxP site is used to invert the non-human mammal VDJ region to a centromeric locus or telomeric locus.

In one example, a mouse or mouse cell of the invention comprises inverted endogenous heavy chain gene segments (eg, VH, D and JH, such as the entire endogenous heavy chain VDJ region) that are immediately 3′ of position 119753123, 119659458 or 120918606 on an endogenous mouse chromosome 12. Optionally, the genome of the mouse or cell is homozygous for said chromosome 12.

The invention also provides:—

A cassette for inversion and inactivation of endogenous non-human vertebrate (eg, mouse or rat) antibody chain gene segments, the segments being part of an antibody chain locus sequence on a chromosome of a non-human vertebrate (eg, mouse or rat) cell (eg, ES cell) wherein the sequence is flanked at its 3′ end by a site-specific recombination site (eg, lox, rox or frt), the cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an expressible label or selectable marker and a compatible site-specific recombination site (eg, lox, rox or frt) flanked by a 5′ and a 3′ homology arm, wherein the homology arms correspond to or are homologous to adjacent stretches of sequence in the cell genome on a different chromosome or on said chromosome at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 mb away from the endogenous gene segments.

The invention also provides:—

A cassette for inversion and inactivation of endogenous mouse antibody heavy chain gene segments, the segments being part of a heavy chain locus sequence on chromosome 12 of a mouse cell (eg, ES cell) wherein the sequence is flanked at its 3′ end by a site-specific recombination site (eg, lox, rox or frt), the cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an expressible label or selectable marker and a compatible site-specific recombination site (eg, lox, rox or frt) flanked by a 5′ and a 3′ homology arm, wherein the homology arms correspond to or are homologous to adjacent stretches of sequence in the mouse cell genome on a different chromosome or on chromosome 12 at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 mb away from the endogenous gene segments.

The invention provides:—

A cassette for inversion and inactivation of endogenous mouse antibody heavy chain gene segments, the segments being part of a heavy chain locus sequence on chromosome 12 of a mouse cell (eg, ES cell) wherein the sequence is flanked at its 3′ end by a site-specific recombination site (eg, lox, rox or frt), the cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an expressible label or selectable marker and a compatible site-specific recombination site (eg, lox, rox or frt) flanked by a 5′ and a 3′ homology arm, wherein (i) the 5′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 119753124 to coordinate 119757104 and the 3′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 119749288 to 119753123; or (ii) the 5′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 119659459 to coordinate 119663126 and the 3′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 119656536 to 119659458; or (iii) the 5′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 120918607 to coordinate 120921930 and the 3′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 120915475 to 120918606.

Embodiment (i) results in an inversion of mouse chromosome 12 from coordinate 119753123 to coordinate 114666436.

Embodiment (ii) results in an inversion of mouse chromosome 12 from coordinate 119659458 to coordinate 114666436

Embodiment (iii) results in an inversion of mouse chromosome 12 from coordinate 12091806 to coordinate 114666436.

Thus, the invention provides a mouse or mouse cell whose genome comprises an inversion of a chromosome 12, wherein the inversion comprises inverted endogenous heavy chain gene segments (eg, VH, D and JH, such as the entire endogenous heavy chain VDJ region); wherein the mouse comprises a transgenic heavy chain locus comprising a plurality of human VH gene segments, a plurality of human D segments and a plurality of human JH segments operably connected upstream of an endogenous constant region (eg, C mu) so that the mouse or cell (optionally following differentiation into a B-cell) is capable of expressing an antibody comprising a variable region comprising sequences derived from the human gene segments; and wherein the inversion is (i) an inversion of mouse chromosome 12 from coordinate 119753123 to coordinate 114666436; (ii) an inversion of mouse chromosome 12 from coordinate 119659458 to coordinate 114666436; or (iii) an inversion of mouse chromosome 12 from coordinate 12091806 to coordinate 114666436.

In one embodiment, the endogenous gene segments are from a 129-derived mouse cell (eg, segments from an AB2.1 cell) and the homology arms are isogenic DNA (ie, identical to 129-derived endogenous sequences demarcated by the respective coordinates stated in (i) to (iii) above). Thus, no new sequence is created by homologous recombination using these homology arms. In another embodiment, the arms are from a mouse strain that is different from the endogenous strain. The site-specific recombination sites are mutually compatible and mutually inverted such that, on expression of an associated recombinase enzyme (eg, Cre, Dre or Flp), recombination between the site in the inserted inversion cassette and the site flanking the endogenous gene segments is carried out, thereby inverting and moving the endogenous gene segments far upstream (5′) of their original location in the heavy chain locus. This inactivates endogenous heavy chain expression. Similarly, light chain inactivation can be performed by choosing the homology arms of the inversion cassette with reference to a chromosomal region spaced at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 mb away from the endogenous light chain locus, the latter comprising a site-specific recombination site that is compatible with the site in the inversion cassette.

In one embodiment, the expressible label is a fluorescent label, eg, GFP or a variant thereof (eg, YFP, CFP or RFP). Thus, a label is used instead of a selection marker, such as one that confers resistance to allow for selection of transformants.

The invention provides a method of inactivating gene segments of an endogenous antibody locus, the method comprising

-   -   (i) Providing a non-human vertebrate cell (eg, an ES cell, eg, a         mouse ES cell) whose genome comprises an antibody chain locus         comprising endogenous variable region gene segments;     -   (ii) Targeting a site-specific recombination site to flank the         3′ of the 3′-most of said endogenous gene segments;     -   (iii) Targeting a second site-specific recombination site at         least 10 mb away from said endogenous gene segments, the second         site being compatible with the first site inverted with respect         to the first site;     -   (iv) Expressing a recombinase compatible with said sites to         effect site-specific recombination between said sites, thereby         inverting and moving said gene segments away from said locus,         wherein the endogenous gene segments are inactivated; and     -   (v) Optionally developing the cell into a progeny cell or         vertebrate (eg, mouse or rat) whose genome is homozygous for the         inversion.

The genome of the progeny cell or vertebrate can comprise transgenic heavy and/or light chain loci, each capable of expressing antibody chains comprising human variable regions. Optionally, endogenous heavy and kappa light chain expression is inactivated by inverting endogenous heavy and kappa variable region gene segments according to the method of the invention. Optionally, endogenous lambda chain expression is also inactivated in this way.

In an alternative to the method and inversion cassettes of the invention, instead of inverting and moving variable region gene segments only, other parts of the endogenous locus can alternatively or additionally be inverted and moved to effect inactivation. For example, one or more endogenous regulatory elements (eg, Smu and/or Emu) and/or one or more endogenous constant regions (eg, Cmu and/or Cgamma) can be inverted and moved.

Sites that “flank” in the above contexts of the invention can be provided such that a site-specific recombination site immediately flanks the endogenous sequence or is spaced therefrom, eg, by no more than 250, 200, 250, 100, 50 or 20 kb in the 3′ direction.

In one aspect the non-human mammal genome into which human DNA is inserted comprises endogenous V, (D) and J regions, and the endogenous sequences have not been deleted.

The invention comprises a method for insertion of multiple DNA fragments into a DNA target, suitably to form a contiguous insertion in which the inserted fragments are joined together directly without intervening sequences. The method is especially applicable to the insertion of a large DNA fragment into a host chromosome which can be carried out in a stepwise fashion.

In one aspect the method comprises insertion of a first DNA sequence into a target, the sequence having a DNA vector portion and a first sequence of interest (X1); insertion of a second DNA sequence into the vector portion of the first sequence, the second DNA sequence having a second sequence of interest (X2) and a second vector portion; and then excising any vector sequence DNA separating X1 and X2 to provide a contiguous X1X2, or X2X1 sequence within the target. There is optionally insertion of a further one or more DNA sequences, each DNA sequence having a further sequence of interest (X3, . . . ) and a further vector portion, into the vector portion of the preceding DNA sequence, to build up a contiguous DNA fragment in the target.

The DNA target for insertion of the first DNA sequence may be a specific site or any point in the genome of a particular cell.

The general method is described herein in relation to the insertion of elements of the human VDJ region, but is applicable to insertion of any DNA region, from any organism, and in particular insertion of large DNA fragments of >100 kB, such as 100-250 kb, or even larger, such as that of the TCR or HLA. Features and approaches described herein in respect of the VDJ insertion may be equally applied to the any of the methods disclosed

In one aspect the inserted DNA is human DNA, such as the human VDJ or VJ region, is built up in the genome of a cell, such as an ES cell, in a stepwise manner using 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20 or more separate insertions for each heavy chain or light chain region. Fragments are suitably inserted at the same or substantially the same cell locus, e.g. ES cell locus, one after another, to form the complete VDJ or VJ region, or part thereof. The present invention also relates to cells and non-human animals comprising intermediates in the process whose genomes may comprise only a partial VDJ region, such as only human variable region DNA.

In a further aspect the method for producing a transgenic non-human mammal comprises the insertion of human VDJ or VJ regions upstream of the host non-human mammal constant region by step-wise insertion of multiple fragments by homologous recombination, preferably using an iterative process. Suitably fragments of approximately 100 KB from the human VDJ and VJ locus are inserted, suitably to form part of, or a complete, VDJ or VJ region after the final iteration of the insertion process, as disclosed herein.

In one aspect the insertion process commences at a site where an initiation cassette has been inserted into the genome of a cell, such as an ES cell, providing a unique targeting region. In one aspect the initiation cassette is inserted in the non-human mammal heavy chain locus, for use in insertion of human heavy chain DNA. Similarly an initiation cassette may be inserted in the non-human mammal light chain locus, for use in insertion of human light chain VJ DNA The initiation cassette suitably comprises a vector backbone sequence with which a vector having a human DNA fragment in the same backbone sequence can recombine to insert the human DNA into the cell (e.g. ES) cell genome, and suitably a selection marker, such as a negative selection marker. Suitably the vector backbone sequence is that of a BAC library, to allow BACs to be used in the construction of the ES cells and mammals. The vector backbone sequence may however be any sequence which serves as a target site into which a homologous sequence can insert, for example by homologous recombination, for example RMCE, and is preferably not DNA encoding any of the VDJ or constant region.

In one aspect the insertion of the first DNA fragment into an initiation cassette is followed by insertion of a second DNA fragment into a portion of the first DNA fragment, suitably a part of the vector backbone of the second DNA fragment. In one aspect an inserted DNA fragment comprises a part of the human VDJ region flanked by 5′ and/or 3′ sequences that are not from the human VDJ region. In one aspect the 5′ and/or 3′ flanking sequences may each contain one or more selectable markers, or be capable of creating a selectable system once inserted into the genome. In one aspect one or both flanking sequences may be removed from the genome in vitro, or in vivo, following insertion. In one aspect the method comprises insertion of a DNA fragment followed by selection of both 5′ and 3′ ends of the inserted fragment flanking the human VDJ DNA. In one aspect the iterative insertion is made by insertion of DNA fragments at the 5′ end of the previous inserted fragment, and in this aspect there may be deletion in vivo of the vector DNA which separates the inserted human DNA sequences, to provide a contiguous human DNA sequence.

In one aspect insertion of human VDJ DNA into a genome may be achieved without leaving any flanking DNA in the genome, for example by transposase mediate DNA excision. One suitable transposase is the Piggybac transposase.

In one aspect the first human variable region fragment is inserted by homologous recombination at the initiation cassette backbone sequence and then the DNA of any negative selection marker and initiation cassette are subsequently removed by recombination between recombinase target sequences, such as FRT using in this example, FLPase expression. Generally repeated targeted insertions at the (e.g. BAC) backbone initiation sequence and subsequent removal by rearrangement between recombinase target sequences are repeated to build up the entire human VDJ region upstream of the host non-mammal constant region.

In one aspect a selectable marker or system may be used in the method. The marker may be generated upon insertion of a DNA fragment into a genome, for example forming a selectable marker in conjunction with a DNA element already present in the genome.

In one aspect the cell (e.g. ES) cell genome does not contain 2 identical selectable markers at the same time during the process. It can be seen that the iterative process of insertion and selection can be carried out using only 2 different selection markers, as disclosed in the examples herein, and for example the third selectable marker may be identical to the first marker, as by the time of insertion of the third vector fragment the first vector fragment and the first marker has been removed.

In one aspect a correct insertion event, is confirmed before moving to the next step of any multistep cloning process, for example by confirmation of BAC structure using high density genomic arrays to screen ES cells to identify those with intact BAC insertions, sequencing and PCR verification.

Initiation Cassette (Also Called a “Landing Pad”)

The invention also relates to a polynucleotide ‘landing pad’ sequence, the polynucleotide comprising nucleic acid regions homologous to regions of a target chromosome to allow for insertion by homologous recombination into the target chromosome, and comprising a nucleic acid site which permits recombinase-driven insertion of nucleic acid into the landing pad. The invention also relates to vectors, cells and mammals of the invention comprising a landing pad as disclosed herein inserted into the genome of the cell.

The landing pad optionally comprises a non-endogenous S-mu, e.g. a rat S-mu switch

The landing pad optionally comprises (in 5′ to 3′ orientation) a mouse Eμ sequence, a non-human, non-mouse (e.g. rat) Switch μ and at least a portion of a mouse Cμ or the entire mouse Cμ.

The rat switch sequence optionally comprises or consists of SEQ ID NO 1.

The landing pad optionally comprises the 5′ homology arm of SEQ ID NO 6.

The landing pad optionally has the sequence of SEQ ID 2 or SEQ ID NO 3.

In one embodiment, the landing pad comprises an expressible label. For example the label is a fluorescent label, eg, GFP or a variant thereof (eg, YFP, CFP or RFP). Thus, a label is used instead of a selection marker (such as one that confers resistance to allow for selection of transformants).

In an embodiment, the landing pad comprises 5′ and 3′ homology arms for insertion into the cell genome using homologous recombination. The homology arms can be isogenic DNA (eg, identical to 129-derived endogenous sequences of when a 129-derived ES cell is used). Thus, no new sequence is created by homologous recombination using these homology arms. In another embodiment, the arms are from a mouse strain that is different from the endogenous strain (ES cell strain).

The methods of the invention include methods wherein the landing pad sequence comprises any of the configurations or sequences as disclosed herein.

Another method of the invention comprises the step of insertion of the landing pad into a mouse chromosome by homologous recombination between mouse J1-4 and mouse C mu sequences.

Another method of the invention comprises the step of insertion of the landing pad into the mouse chromosome 12 by homologous recombination between mouse J1-4 and E mu.

In one aspect the method uses site specific recombination for insertion of one or more vectors into the genome of a cell, such as an ES cell. Site specific recombinase systems are well known in the art and may include Cre-lox, and FLP/FRT or combinations thereof, in which recombination occurs between 2 sites having sequence homology.

Additionally or alternatively to any particular Cre/Lox or FLP/FRT system described herein, other recombinases and sites that may be used in the present invention include Dre recombinase, rox sites, and PhiC31 recombinase.

Suitable BACs are available from the Sanger centre, see “A genome-wide, end-sequenced 129Sv BAC library resource for targeting vector construction”. Adams D J, Quail M A, Cox T, van der Weyden L, Gorick B D, Su Q, Chan W I, Davies R, Bonfield J K, Law F, Humphray S, Plumb B, Liu P, Rogers J, Bradley A. Genomics. 2005 December; 86(6):753-8. Epub 2005 Oct. 27. The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK. BACs containing human DNA are also available from, for example, Invitrogen™. A suitable library is described in Osoegawa K et al, Genome Research 2001. 11: 483-496.

In one aspect a method of the invention specifically comprises:

-   -   (1) insertion of a first DNA fragment into a non-human ES cell,         the fragment containing a first portion of human VDJ or VJ         region DNA and a first vector portion containing a first         selectable marker;     -   (2) optionally deletion of the a part of the first vector         portion;     -   (3) insertion of a second DNA fragment into a non-human ES cell         containing the first DNA fragment, the insertion occurring         within the first vector portion, the second DNA fragment         containing a second portion of the human VDJ or VJ region and a         second vector portion containing a second selectable marker,     -   (4) deletion of the first selectable marker and first vector         portion, preferably by a recombinase enzyme action;     -   (5) insertion of a third DNA fragment into a non-human ES cell         containing the second DNA fragment, the insertion occurring         within the second vector portion, the third DNA fragment         containing a third portion of the human VDJ or VJ region and a         third vector portion containing third selectable marker,     -   (6) deletion of the second selectable marker and second vector         portion; and     -   (7) iteration of the steps of insertion and deletion, as         necessary, for fourth and further fragments of the human VDJ or         VJ human regions, as necessary, to produce an ES cell with a         part or all of the human VDJ or VJ region inserted as disclosed         herein, and suitably to remove all the vector portions within         the ES cell genome.

In another aspect the invention comprises

-   -   (1) insertion of DNA forming an initiation cassette into the         genome of a cell;     -   (2) insertion of a first DNA fragment into the initiation         cassette, the first DNA fragment comprising a first portion of a         human DNA and a first vector portion containing a first         selectable marker or generating a selectable marker upon         insertion;     -   (3) optionally removal of part of the vector DNA     -   (4) insertion of a second DNA fragment into the vector portion         of the first DNA fragment, the second DNA fragment containing a         second portion of human DNA and a second vector portion, the         second vector portion containing a second selectable marker, or         generating a second selectable marker upon insertion;     -   (5) optionally, removal of any vector DNA to allow the first and         second human DNA fragments to form a contiguous sequence; and     -   (6) iteration of the steps of insertion of human VDJ DNA and         vector DNA removal, as necessary, to produce a cell with all or         part of the human VDJ or VJ region sufficient to be capable of         generating a chimaeric antibody in conjunction with a host         constant region,         wherein the insertion of one, or more, or all of the DNA         fragments uses site specific recombination.

In one aspect the non-human mammal is able to generate a diversity of at least 1×10⁶ different functional chimaeric immunoglobulin sequence combinations.

In one aspect the targeting is carried out in ES cells derived from the mouse C57BL/6N, C57BL/6J, 129S5 or 129Sv strain.

In one aspect non-human animals, such as mice, are generated in a RAG-1-deficient or a RAG-2-deficient background, or other suitable genetic background which prevents the production of mature host B and T lymphocytes.

In one aspect the non-human mammal is a rodent, suitably a mouse, and cells of the invention, are rodent cells or ES cells, suitably mouse ES cells.

The ES cells of the present invention can be used to generate animals using techniques well known in the art, which comprise injection of the ES cell into a blastocyst followed by implantation of chimaeric blastocystys into females to produce offspring which can be bred and selected for homozygous recombinants having the required insertion. In one aspect the invention relates to a chimeric animal comprised of ES cell-derived tissue and host embryo derived tissue. In one aspect the invention relates to genetically-altered subsequent generation animals, which include animals having a homozygous recombinants for the VDJ and/or VJ regions.

In a further aspect the invention relates to a method for producing an antibody specific to a desired antigen the method comprising immunizing a transgenic non-human mammal as above with the desired antigen and recovering the antibody (see e.g. Harlow, E. & Lane, D. 1998, 5^(th) edition, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Lab. Press, Plainview, N.Y.; and Pasqualini and Arap, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2004) 101:257-259). Suitably an immunogenic amount of the antigen is delivered. The invention also relates to a method for detecting a target antigen comprising detecting an antibody produced as above with a secondary detection agent which recognises a portion of that antibody.

In a further aspect the invention relates to a method for producing a fully humanised antibody comprising immunizing a transgenic non-human mammal as above with the desired antigen, recovering the antibody or cells expressing the antibody, and then replacing the non-human mammal constant region with a human constant region. This can be done by standard cloning techniques at the DNA level to replace the non-human mammal constant region with an appropriate human constant region DNA sequence—see e.g. Sambrook, J and Russell, D. (2001, 3'd edition) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (Cold Spring Harbor Lab. Press, Plainview, N.Y.).

In a further aspect the invention relates to humanised antibodies and antibody chains produced according to the present invention, both in chimaeric and fully humanised form, and use of said antibodies in medicine. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising such an antibodies and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or other excipient.

Antibody chains containing human sequences, such as chimaeric human-non-human antibody chains, are considered humanised herein by virtue of the presence of the human protein coding regions region. Fully humanised antibodies may be produced starting from DNA encoding a chimaeric antibody chain of the invention using standard techniques.

Methods for the generation of both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies are well known in the art, and the present invention relates to both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies of chimaeric or fully humanised antibodies produced in response to antigen challenge in non-human mammals of the present invention.

In a yet further aspect, chimaeric antibodies or antibody chains generated in the present invention may be manipulated, suitably at the DNA level, to generate molecules with antibody-like properties or structure, such as a human variable region from a heavy or light chain absent a constant region, for example a domain antibody; or a human variable region with any constant region from either heavy or light chain from the same or different species; or a human variable region with a non-naturally occurring constant region; or human variable region together with any other fusion partner. The invention relates to all such chimaeric antibody derivatives derived from chimaeric antibodies identified according to the present invention.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to use of animals of the present invention in the analysis of the likely effects of drugs and vaccines in the context of a quasi-human antibody repertoire.

The invention also relates to a method for identification or validation of a drug or vaccine, the method comprising delivering the vaccine or drug to a mammal of the invention and monitoring one or more of: the immune response, the safety profile; the effect on disease.

The invention also relates to a kit comprising an antibody or antibody derivative as disclosed herein and either instructions for use of such antibody or a suitable laboratory reagent, such as a buffer, antibody detection reagent.

The invention also relates to a method for making an antibody, or part thereof, the method comprising providing:

-   -   (i) a nucleic acid encoding an antibody, or a part thereof,         obtained according to the present invention; or     -   (ii) sequence information from which a nucleic acid encoding an         antibody obtained according to the present invention, or part         thereof, can be expressed to allow an antibody to be produced.

The present invention also relates to a chimaeric antibody comprising a human variable region and a non-human vertebrate or mammal (optionally a rat or mouse) constant region (optionally a C gamma or C mu), wherein the antibody is encoded by a nucleotide sequence corresponding to the nucleotide sequence of a chimaeric heavy chain locus of a cell (optionally a B-cell, ES cell or hybridoma), the locus comprising a non-human vertebrate constant region nucleotide sequence and a rearranged VDJ nucleotide sequence produced by the in vivo rearrangement of a human V region, a human D region and a human J region, the V region being selected from one of a V1-3 region, V2-5 region, V4-4 region, V1-2 region or V6-1 region, and optionally a V1-3 or V6-1 segment. Optionally, the J region is any of JH1, JH2, JH3, JH4, JH5 or JH6, and in one aspect is JH4 or JH6. The D region is, in one aspect, any D3-9, D3-10, D6-13 or D6-19. In one example, rearranged VDJ nucleotide sequence is produced by the in vivo rearrangement of human V1-3 and JH4 (optionally with D3-9, D3-10, D6-13 or D-19); or V1-3 and JH6 (optionally with D3-9, D3-10, D6-13 or D-19); or V6-1 and JH4 (optionally with D3-9, D3-10, D6-13 or D-19); or V6-1 and JH6 (optionally with D3-9, D3-10, D6-13 or D-19). In one example the rearranged VDJ nucleotide sequence is produced by the in vivo rearrangement of human V6-1 DH3-10, V1-3 DH3-10, V1-3 DH6-19, V1-3 Dh3-9 or V6-1 DH6-19. In one aspect the antibody comprises any combination exemplified in the Examples and Figures herein. Optionally, the in vivo rearrangement is in a cell (eg, B cell or ES cell) derived from the same non-human vertebrate species as the constant region sequence (eg, a mouse B cell or ES cell). The invention also relates to a non-human vertebrate or mammal cell (eg, a B-cell or ES cell or hybridoma) whose genome comprises a chimaeric heavy chain locus as described above in this paragraph. The invention also relates to a non-human vertebrate or mammal (eg, a mouse or rat) whose genome comprises a chimaeric heavy chain locus as described above in this paragraph.

The present invention also relates to a non-human vertebrate or mammal having a genome encoding a chimaeric antibody, the chimaeric antibody comprising a human variable region and a non-human vertebrate or mammal (optionally a rat or mouse) constant region (optionally a C gamma or C mu), the mammal:

-   -   expressing more V1-3 antibodies than V2-5, V4-4, V1-2 or V6-1         antibodies; and/or     -   expressing more V1-3 JH4 or V1-3 JH6 antibodies than any of,         individually, V1-3 JH1, V1-3 JH2, V1-3 JH3 or V1-3 JH5         antibodies, and/or     -   expressing more V6-1 JH4 or V6-1 JH6 antibodies than any of,         individually, V6-1 JH1, V6-1 JH2, V6-1 JH3 or V6-1 JH5         antibodies and/or     -   expressing a greater number of V1-3 DH3-10 antibodies than         antibodies V1-3 with any other D region. Expression of         antibodies can be assessed by methods readily available to the         skilled person and as conventional in the art. For example,         expression can be assessed at the mRNA level as shown in the         examples below.

The invention also relates to a chimaeric antibody comprising a human variable region and a non-human vertebrate or mammal (optionally a rat or mouse) constant region (optionally a light chain constant region), wherein the antibody is obtainable from a mammal (optionally a rat or mouse) whose genome comprises an antibody chain locus comprising a germline human kappa V1-8 and germline human kappa J1 sequence, and wherein the antibody is obtainable by in vivo recombination in said mammal of the V1-8 and J1 sequences and wherein the antibody has a variable region sequence which is different from that which is encoded by germline human kappa V1-8 and germline human kappa J1sequences. Thus, in this aspect of the invention the human germline sequences are able to undergo productive rearrangement to form a coding sequence which, in conjunction with the non-human constant region sequence, can be expressed as a chimaeric antibody chain having at least a complete human variable region and a non-human constant region. This is in contrast (as the examples show below) to the combination of the germline human kappa V1-8 and germline human kappa J1sequences per se, which do not provide for an antibody coding sequence (due to the inclusion of stop codons). In one aspect the rearranged sequence of the chimaeric antibody is a result of somatic hypermutation. In one aspect the antibody is a kappa antibody; in another aspect the antibody comprises a non-human heavy chain constant region (eg, a rat or mouse C gamma or C mu). The antibody sequence optionally comprises a X₁X₂ T F G Q, where X₁X₂=PR, RT, or PW (SEQ ID No 21); optionally a X₁X₂ T F G Q G T K V E I K R A D A (SEQ ID No 22) motif. Such motifs are not found in the equivalent position in the germline sequence as shown in the examples. The invention also relates to a non-human vertebrate or mammal cell (eg, a B-cell or ES cell or hybridoma) whose genome comprises a chimaeric antibody chain locus as described above in this paragraph. The invention also relates to a non-human vertebrate or mammal (eg, a mouse or rat) whose genome comprises a chimaeric antibody chain locus as described above in this paragraph.

The invention also relates to a chimaeric antibody comprising a human variable region and a non-human vertebrate or mammal (optionally a rat or mouse) constant region (optionally a light chain constant region), wherein the antibody is obtainable from a mammal (optionally a rat or mouse) whose genome comprises an antibody chain locus comprising a germline human kappa V1-6 and germline human kappa J1 sequence, and wherein the antibody is obtainable by in vivo recombination in said mammal of the V1-6 and J1 sequences and wherein the antibody has a variable region sequence which is different from that which is encoded by germline human kappa V1-6 and germline human kappa J1sequences. Thus, in this aspect of the invention the human germline sequences are able to undergo productive rearrangement to form a coding sequence which, in conjunction with the non-human constant region sequence, can be expressed as a chimaeric antibody chain having at least a complete human variable region and a non-human constant region. This is in contrast (as the examples show below) to the combination of the germline human kappa V1-6 and germline human kappa J1sequences per se, which do not provide for an antibody coding sequence (due to the inclusion of stop codons). In one aspect the rearranged sequence of the chimaeric antibody is a result of somatic hypermutation. In one aspect the antibody is a kappa antibody; in another aspect the antibody comprises a non-human heavy chain constant region (eg, a rat or mouse C gamma or C mu). The antibody sequence optionally comprises a X₃X₄ T F G Q, where X₃X₄=PR or PW (SEQ ID No 23); optionally a X₃X₄ T F G Q G T K V E I K R A D A (SEQ ID No 24) motif. Such motifs are not found in the equivalent position in the germline sequence as shown in the examples. The invention also relates to a non-human vertebrate or mammal cell (eg, a B-cell or ES cell or hybridoma) whose genome comprises a chimaeric antibody chain locus as described above in this paragraph. The invention also relates to a non-human vertebrate or mammal (eg, a mouse or rat) whose genome comprises a chimaeric antibody chain locus as described above in this paragraph.

The invention also relates to a chimaeric antibody comprising a human variable region and a non-human (optionally a rat or mouse) constant region (optionally a C gamma or C mu or a C kappa), wherein the antibody is obtainable from a mammal (optionally a rat or mouse) whose genome comprises an antibody chain locus comprising a germline human kappa V1-5 and germline human kappa J1 sequence, and wherein the antibody is obtainable by in vivo recombination in said mammal of the V1-5 and J1 sequences. The invention also relates to a non-human vertebrate or mammal cell (eg, a B-cell or ES cell or hybridoma) whose genome comprises a chimaeric antibody chain locus as described above in this paragraph. The invention also relates to a non-human vertebrate or mammal (eg, a mouse or rat) whose genome comprises a chimaeric antibody chain locus as described above in this paragraph.

The invention also relates to a chimaeric antibody comprising a human variable region and a non-human (optionally a rat or mouse) constant region (optionally a C gamma or C mu or a C kappa), wherein the antibody is obtainable from a mammal (optionally a rat or mouse) whose genome comprises an antibody chain locus comprising a germline human kappa V1-5 and germline human kappa J4 sequence, and wherein the antibody is obtainable by in vivo recombination in said mammal of the V1-5 and J4 sequences. The invention also relates to a non-human vertebrate or mammal cell (eg, a B-cell or ES cell or hybridoma) whose genome comprises a chimaeric antibody chain locus as described above in this paragraph. The invention also relates to a non-human vertebrate or mammal (eg, a mouse or rat) whose genome comprises a chimaeric antibody chain locus as described above in this paragraph.

Antibodies of the invention may be isolated, in one aspect being isolated from the cell or organism in which they are expressed.

A non-human mammal whose genome comprises:

-   -   (a) the human IgH VDJ region upstream of the host non-human         mammal constant region; and     -   (b) the human Ig light chain kappa V and J regions upstream of         the host non-human mammal kappa constant region and/or the human         Ig light chain lambda V and J regions upstream of the host         non-human mammal lambda constant region;         wherein the non-human mammal is able to produce a repertoire of         chimaeric antibodies having a non-human mammal constant region         and a human variable region,         and optionally wherein the non-human mammal genome is modified         to prevent expression of fully host-species specific antibodies.

A non-human mammal ES cell whose genome comprises:

-   -   (a) the human IgH V, D and J region upstream of a non-human         mammal constant region; and     -   (b) the human Ig locus light chain kappa V and J regions         upstream of the host non-human mammal kappa constant region,         and/or the human Ig locus light chain lambda V and J regions         upstream of the host non-human mammal lambda constant region         wherein the ES cell is capable of developing into a non-human         mammal, being able to produce a repertoire of antibodies which         are chimaeric, having a non-human mammal constant region and a         human variable region.

A method for producing a transgenic non-human mammal able to produce a repertoire of chimaeric antibodies, the antibodies having a non-human mammal constant region and a human variable region, the method comprising inserting by homologous recombination into a non-human mammal ES cell genome

-   -   (a) the human IgH VDJ region upstream of the host non-human         mammal heavy chain constant region, and     -   (b) the human IgL VJ region for lambda or kappa chains upstream         of the host non-human mammal lambda or kappa chain constant         region, respectively such that the non-human mammal is able to         produce a repertoire of chimaeric antibodies having a non-human         mammal constant region and a human variable region, wherein         steps (a) and (b) can be carried out in either order and each of         steps (a) and (b) can be carried out in a stepwise manner or as         a single step.

In one aspect the insertion of human VDJ or VJ regions upstream of the host non-human mammal constant region is accomplished by step-wise insertion of multiple fragments by homologous recombination.

In one aspect the step-wise insertions commence at a site where an initiation cassette has been inserted into the genome of an ES cell providing a unique targeting region consisting of a BAC backbone sequence and a negative selection marker.

In one aspect the first human variable region fragment is inserted by homologous recombination at the initiation cassette BAC backbone sequence and said negative selection marker and initiation cassette are subsequently removed by recombination between recombinase target sequences.

In one aspect repeated targeted insertions at the BAC backbone initiation sequence and subsequent removal of the backbone by rearrangement between recombinase target sequences is repeated to build up the entire human VDJ region upstream of the host non-mammal constant region.

Insertion of human variable region gene segments precisely within the endogenous mouse JH4-Cmu intron

There is further provided a cell or non human mammal according to the invention wherein the mammal is a mouse or the cell is a mouse cell and wherein the insertion of the human heavy chain DNA is made in a mouse genome between coordinates 114,667,091 and 114,665,190 of mouse chromosome 12.

There is further provided a cell or non human mammal according to the invention wherein the insertion of the human heavy chain DNA is made at coordinate 114,667,091.

There is further provided a cell or non human mammal according to the invention wherein the human IgH VDJ region comprises nucleotides 105,400,051 to 106,368,585 from human chromosome 14 (coordinates refer to NCBI36 for the human genome).

There is further provided a method, cell or non human mammal according to the invention wherein a human coding region DNA sequence is in a functional arrangement with a non-human mammal control sequence, such that transcription of the human DNA is controlled by the non-human mammal control sequence. In one example, the initiation cassette is inserted between the mouse J4 and C alpha exons. There is further provided an initiation cassette suitable for use in the method comprising a vector backbone sequence and a selection marker.

Non-Human Vertebrates Expressing Kappa & Lambda Variable Regions (i) K and L Chains Produced in Human-Like Ratios

This aspect of the invention is useful for producing light chains that are not skewed to non-human-like ratios. For example, in mice kappa-type light chains predominate by far over lambda-type light chains (typically of the order of 95% kappa light chains: 5% lambda light chains in a wild-type mouse). Humans, on the other hand, typically display around 60% kappa: around 40% lambda. Thus, lambda expression is much higher than found in a mouse. It would be desirable to provide a non-human vertebrate, such as a mouse or a rat, in which a higher proportion of lambda-type light chains can be expressed. This is useful when the vertebrate expresses light chains bearing human lambda variable regions and other light chains bearing human kappa variable regions. To this end, the inventors have demonstrated for the first time such a vertebrate that expresses elevated lambda light chains, and thus the invention provides:—

A non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat) whose genome comprises an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome comprising human Vλ and Jλ gene segments provided by insertion into an endogenous light chain locus of the vertebrate upstream of a constant region, the genome comprising human Vκ and Jκ gene segments provided by insertion into an endogenous light chain locus of the vertebrate upstream of a constant region, wherein the vertebrate expresses immunoglobulin light chains comprising kappa light chain variable regions and immunoglobulin light chains comprising lambda light chain variable regions, wherein more than 20% of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate comprise lambda variable regions (eg, as determined by FACS of splenic B-cells).

The remaining light chains express kappa variable regions.

WO03047336 teaches the desirability of producing human-like kappa:lambda ratios, but this does not provide an enabled or plausible disclosure of how to achieve this.

(ii) K and L Chains Produced with Normal B-Cell Compartments

The inventors have successfully generated non-human vertebrates containing targeted insertion of human V and J lambda gene segments to enable expression of light chains comprising human lambda variable regions by normal (ie, comparable to wild-type vertebrate) B-cell compartments. Thus, the inventors have provided such vertebrates that can usefully produce such light chains with good repertoires and more reliably than prior art transgenic non-human vertebrates that display comprised B-cell compartments of reduced size and maturity, and indeed which may not even produce light chains having human lambda variable regions. Thus, the invention provides:—

A non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat) whose genome comprises an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome comprising human Vλ and Jλ gene segments provided by insertion into an endogenous light chain locus of the vertebrate upstream of a constant region, the genome comprising human Vκ and Jκ gene segments provided by insertion into an endogenous light chain locus of the vertebrate upstream of a constant region, wherein the vertebrate expresses immunoglobulin light chains comprising kappa light chain variable regions and immunoglobulin light chains comprising lambda light chain variable regions, and wherein the vertebrate produces a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells (eg, as determined by FACS of splenic B-cells).

With regard to non-human vertebrates (i) and (ii), the following embodiments are contemplated (unless specified, each embodiment applies to (i) or (ii)):—

In an embodiment, the human Vλ and Jλ insertion comprises at least the functional human V and J gene segments comprised by a human lambda chain Ig locus from Vλ3-27 to Cλ7.

In an embodiment, the human Vλ and Jλ insertion comprises at least human V gene segments Vλ3-27, Vλ3-25, Vλ2-23, Vλ3-22, Vλ3-21, Vλ3-19, Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, Vλ2-14, Vλ3- 12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3 and Vλ3-1.

In an embodiment, the human Vλ and Jλ insertion comprises one, more or all of human J gene segments Jλ1, Jλ2, Jλ3, Jλ6 and Jλ7.

In an embodiment, the human Vλ and Jλ insertion comprises an insertion of a human Jλ-Cλ cluster, wherein the cluster comprises the J and C gene segments from Jλ1 to Cλ7.

In an embodiment, the human Vλ and Jλ insertion comprises an insertion of a human Eλ enhancer. For example, the Eλ enhancer is provided in germline configuration with respect to a human Jλ7 that is also comprised by the insertion. For example, the Eλ enhancer is provided in germline configuration with respect to a human Jλ-Cλ cluster that is also comprised by the insertion, wherein the cluster comprises Jλ1 to Cλ7 in human germline configuration. In a human germline configuration the Eλ enhancer is 3′ of the Jλ-Cλ cluster.

In an embodiment or vertebrate (i) or (ii), the human Vλ and Jλ insertion is provided by an insertion of a sequence corresponding to coordinates 22886217 to 23327884 of human chromosome 22.

In an embodiment or vertebrate (ii), the human Vλ and Jλ insertion is provided by an insertion of a sequence corresponding to coordinates 23064876 to 23327884 of human chromosome 22.

In an embodiment, the human Vκ and Jκ insertion comprises at least the functional human V and J gene segments comprised by a human kappa chain Ig locus from Vκ1-33 to Jκ5.

In an embodiment, the human Vκ and Jκ insertion comprises at least human V gene segments Vκ1-33, Vκ2-30, Vκ2-29, Vκ2-28, Vκ1-27, Vκ2-24, Vκ3-20, Vκ1-17, Vκ1-16, Vκ3- 15, Vκ1-13, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-9, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-5, Vκ5-2 and Vκ4-1.

In an embodiment, the human Vκ and Jκ insertion comprises one, more or all of human J gene segments Jκ1, Jκ2, Jκ3, Jκ4 and Jκ5.

In an embodiment, more than 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50% of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate comprise lambda variable regions.

In an embodiment, from 20 to 40, 45 or 50% of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate comprise lambda variable regions. In an embodiment, from 30 to 40, 45 or 50% of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate comprise lambda variable regions.

In an embodiment, said kappa light chain variable regions are human kappa light chain variable regions.

In an embodiment, the human Vκ and Jκ gene segments are in an endogenous kappa light chain locus of the vertebrate upstream of a kappa constant region.

In an embodiment, the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are in an endogenous kappa light chain locus of the vertebrate.

In an embodiment, the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are in an endogenous lambda light chain locus of the vertebrate.

In an embodiment, the vertebrate expresses light chains comprising human kappa variable regions and expresses light chains comprising human lambda variable regions. In an example, endogenous (non-human vertebrate) kappa chain expression is substantially inactive or is inactive and/or endogenous (non-human vertebrate) lambda chain expression is substantially inactive or is inactive. Where the vertebrate is a mouse, mouse lambda chain expression is typically very low (around 5% or less) and in this case it may not be necessary to engineer the mouse genome to further inactivate endogenous lambda chain expression. Thus, where the vertebrate is s mouse, endogenous kappa chain expression is substantially inactive or is inactive and mouse lambda chain expression is 5% or less of all light chain expression.

In an embodiment, the vertebrate produces a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells. For example, this can be determined by FACS of splenic B-cells isolated from the vertebrate.

In an embodiment, the vertebrate produces a normal ratio of T1, T2 and mature splenic B-cells. For example, this can be determined by FACS of splenic B-cells isolated from the vertebrate.

In an embodiment, at least 40, 50, 60 or 70% of total splenic B-cells produced by the vertebrate are mature B-cells. For example, this can be determined by FACS of splenic B-cells isolated from the vertebrate.

One embodiment described herein is a non-human vertebrate or a non-human vertebrate cell (e.g., a mouse, rat, mouse cell or a rat cell) whose genome comprises an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome comprising a targeted insertion of human immunoglobulin and Vλ, Jλ and Cλ gene segments into an endogenous non-human vertebrate kappa or lambda light chain locus upstream of an endogenous non-human vertebrate kappa or lambda constant region for expression of a human VJC light chain. In one aspect, the human immunoglobulin Vλ, Jλ and Cλ insertion of the vertebrate or cell comprises at least the functional human V, J and C gene segments including a human lambda chain Ig locus from Vλ3-1 to Cλ7.

One embodiment described herein is a non-human vertebrate or cell (e.g., a mouse, rat, mouse cell or a rat cell) having a genome comprising a recombinant immunoglobulin light chain locus, the locus comprising a targeted insertion that comprises human immunoglobulin Vλ and Jλ gene segments, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are positioned upstream to a light chain constant region and comprise at least the functional V and J gene segments from Vλ2-18 to Cλ7 of a human lambda light chain locus, and wherein the vertebrate or cell expresses immunoglobulin light chains comprising human lambda variable regions.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the endogenous kappa chain expression is substantially inactive. In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the endogenous lambda chain expression is substantially inactive. In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the genome is homozygous for the targeted insertion of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments. In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the endogenous light chain locus is an endogenous kappa locus. In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the endogenous light chain locus is an endogenous lambda locus. In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the human Vλ and Jλ are downstream of endogenous VL and JL gene segments. In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the targeted insertion is positioned within 100 kb of an endogenous light chain locus enhancer sequence. In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the targeted insertion comprises a human light chain enhancer.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the human light chain enhancer is an Eλ sequence and wherein the Eλ sequence is positioned between the human Jλ gene segments and an endogenous light chain constant region.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the vertebrate or cell expresses lambda light chains comprising a repertoire of human lambda variable regions encoded by human Vλ and Jλ gene segments, wherein the human Vλ comprises gene segment Vλ3-1 and optionally one or more of Vλ3-16, Vλ2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, and Vλ4-3, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are included in the targeted insertion.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the vertebrate or cell expresses lambda light chains comprising a repertoire of human lambda variable regions encoded by human Vλ and Jλ gene segments, wherein the human Vλ comprises gene segment Vλ2-14 and, optionally, one or more of Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, Vλ2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3, and Vλ3-1, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are included in the targeted insertion.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the vertebrate or cell expresses lambda light chains comprising a repertoire of human lambda variable regions encoded by human Vλ and Jλ gene segments, wherein the human Vλ comprises gene segment Vλ2-8 and, optionally, one or more of Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ4-3, and Vλ3-1, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are included in the targeted insertion.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the vertebrate or cell expresses lambda light chains comprising a repertoire of human lambda variable regions encoded by human Vλ and Jλ gene segments, wherein the human Vλ comprises gene segment Vλ3-10 and, optionally, one or more of Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3, and Vλ3-1, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are included in the targeted insertion. In one aspect, at least Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3, and Vλ3-1 are included in the targeted insertion.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, an endogenous kappa enhancer is present; optionally wherein the endogenous enhancer comprises an iEκ and/or 3′ Eκ sequence.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, less than 10% of immunoglobulin light chains expressed by said vertebrate or cell comprises endogenous kappa variable regions.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the locus comprises endogenous VK and JK gene segments upstream to the targeted insert, wherein the targeted insert comprises at least the functional Vλ and J2, gene segments from Vλ3-1 to Cλ7 of a human lambda light chain immunoglobulin locus, and wherein expression of light chains comprising endogenous kappa variable regions derived from recombination of endogenous VK and JK gene segments is substantially inactive.

One embodiment described herein is a non-human vertebrate or a non-human vertebrate cell, the genome of which the endogenous IgK-VJ has been moved away from the endogenous Eκ enhancer, thereby inactivating endogenous IgK-VJ regions.

One embodiment described herein is a non-human vertebrate or a non-human vertebrate cell whose genome comprises an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome comprising the following light chain loci arrangement

-   -   (a) L at one endogenous kappa chain allele and K at the other         endogenous kappa chain allele; or     -   (b) L at one endogenous lambda chain allele and Kat the other         endogenous lambda chain allele; or     -   (c) L at both endogenous kappa chain alleles;     -   (d) L at both endogenous lambda chain alleles;     -   (e) L at one endogenous kappa chain allele and the other         endogenous kappa allele has been inactivated; or     -   (f) L at one endogenous lambda chain and the other endogenous         lambda chain allele has been inactivated;         wherein         L represents a human lambda gene segment insertion comprising at         least the functional human Vλ and Jλ, of the human lambda chain         Ig locus from Vλ3-1 to Cλ7; and optionally further comprising Cλ         gene segments, and         K represents a human Vκ and Jκ insertion;         wherein in the genome the human gene segments are inserted         upstream of a constant region for expression of light chains         comprising variable regions derived from the recombination of         human V and J gene segments.

One embodiment described herein is a non-human vertebrate (e.g., a mouse or rat) that expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains comprising human variable regions, wherein essentially all the heavy chains expressed by the non-human vertebrate comprise human variable regions; wherein said heavy chains comprising human variable regions are expressed as part of serum IgG1,1gG2b and IgM (and optionally IgG2a) antibodies in the mouse; the vertebrate comprising an immunoglobulin heavy chain locus comprising human VH, DH and JH gene segments upstream of a vertebrate constant region. In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the vertebrate expresses a normal relative proportion of serum IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgM antibodies. In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the vertebrate expresses:

-   -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 25-350 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-200 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 30-800 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-300 μg/ml;         or     -   (i) serum IgG 1 at a concentration of about 10-600 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-500 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 20-700 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-700 μg/ml;         as determined by Ig capture on a plate followed by incubation         with anti-non-human vertebrate isotype-specific labelled         antibodies and quantification of Ig using the label.

In one aspect of the veterbrate described herein, the vertebrate produces a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells and/or a normal proportion or percentage of bone marrow B-cell progenitor cells.

Described herein is a method for expressing immunoglobulin heavy chains comprising human variable regions, wherein essentially all the heavy chains expressed comprise human variable regions; comprising exposing a vertebrate described herein to antigen, wherein the heavy chains comprising human variable regions are expressed as part of serum IgG1, IgG2b and IgM (and optionally IgG2a) antibodies in the vertebrate.

Described herein is a method for expressing immunoglobulin light chains comprising human variable regions, wherein essentially all the light chains expressed comprise human lambda variable regions derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments comprising exposing the vertebrate described herein to antigen, wherein said vertebrate produces a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells and/or a normal proportion or percentage of bone marrow B-cell progenitor cells.

Described herein is a method for expressing immunoglobulin heavy chains comprising human variable regions, wherein essentially all the heavy chains expressed comprise human variable regions comprising exposing the vertebrate described herein to antigen, wherein the vertebrate produces a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells and/or a normal proportion or percentage of bone marrow B-cell progenitor cells.

In one embodiment of a vertebrate or cell described herein, the genome of the vertebrate or cell comprises

-   -   (i) L at an endogenous lambda allele; and     -   (ii) L at an endogenous kappa allele.

In one aspect of the vertebrate or cell described herein, the genome comprises L at both endogenous kappa alleles and/or L at both endogenous lambda alleles. The endogenous kappa light chain expression is substantially inactive in one aspect. The endogenous lambda light chain expression is substantially inactive in one aspect. In one aspect of the vertebrate or cell described herein, the L represents a human lambda gene segment insertion that comprises at least human V gene segments Vλ3-27, Vλ3-25, Vλ3-22, Vλ3-21, Vλ3-19, Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, Vλ2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3 and Vλ3-1.

In one aspect of the vertebrate or cell described herein, the L represents a human lambda gene segment insertion that comprises at least human J gene segments Jλ1, Jλ2, Jλ3, Jλ6 and Jλ7.

Another embodiment described herein, is a non-human vertebrate whose genome comprises an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome comprising human Vλ and Jλ gene segments inserted into an endogenous light chain locus of the vertebrate upstream of a constant region; the genome comprising human VK and JK gene segments inserted into an endogenous light chain locus of the vertebrate upstream of a constant region, wherein the vertebrate expresses immunoglobulin light chains comprising kappa light chain variable regions and immunoglobulin lambda light chain variable regions, wherein more than 20% of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate comprise lambda variable regions, as determined by FACS analysis of B cells isolated from the vertebrate. In one aspect, the remaining light chains express kappa variable regions as determined by FACS.

Another embodiment described herein is a non-human vertebrate whose genome comprises an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome comprising human Vλ and Jλ gene segments inserted into an endogenous light chain locus of the vertebrate upstream of a constant region, the genome comprising human VK and JK gene segments inserted into an endogenous light chain locus of the vertebrate upstream of a constant region, wherein the vertebrate expresses immunoglobulin light chains comprising kappa light chain variable regions and immunoglobulin light chains comprising lambda light chain variable regions, and wherein the vertebrate produces a normal proportion of percentage of mature splenic B-cells, as determined by FACS analysis of B cells isolated from the vertebrate.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the human Vλ and Jλ insertion comprises at least the functional human V and J gene segments comprised by a human lambda chain Ig locus from Vλ3-27 to Cλ7.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the human Vλ and Jλ insertion comprises at least human V gene segments Vλ3-27, Vλ3-25, Vλ3-21, Vλ3-19, Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, Vλ2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, V4λ-3 and Vλ3-1.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the human Vλ and insertion comprises one, more or all of human J gene segments Jλ1, Jλ2, Jλ3, Jλ6 and Jλ7.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the human Vκ and Jκ insertion comprises at least the functional human V and J gene segments comprised by a human kappa chain Ig locus from Vκ1-33 to Jκ5.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the human Vκ and Jκ insertion comprises at least human V gene segments Vκ1-33, Vκ2-30, Vκ2-29, Vκ2-28, Vκ1-27, Vκ2-24, Vκ3-20, Vκ1-17, Vκ1-16, Vκ3-15, Vκ1-13, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-9, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-5, Vκ5-2 and Vκ4-1.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the human Vκ and Jκ insertion comprises one, m more or all of human J gene segments Jκ1, Jκ2, Jκ3, Jκ4 and Jκ5.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the percentage of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate comprising lambda antibody variable regions, is selected from the group consisting of at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45% and at least 50%.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the kappa light chain variable regions are human kappa light chain variable regions.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the human Vκ and Jκ gene segments are in an endogenous kappa light chain locus of the vertebrate upstream of a kappa constant region.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are positioned in an endogenous kappa light chain locus of the vertebrate.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are positioned in an endogenous lambda light chain locus of the vertebrate.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the vertebrate expresses light chains comprising human kappa variable regions and expresses light chains comprising human lambda variable region.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the endogenous kappa chain expression is inactive.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the endogenous lambda chain expression is inactive

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the vertebrate produces a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells, as determined by FACS.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, the vertebrate produces a normal ratio of T1, T2 and mature splenic B-cells, as determined by FACS.

In one aspect of an embodiment of a vertebrate described herein, at least 40, 50, 60 or 70% of total splenic B-cells produced by the vertebrate are mature B-cells, as determined by FACS.

Described herein is a method for producing an antibody or light chain comprising a lambda variable region specific to a desired antigen, the method comprising immunizing a vertebrate described herein with the desired antigen and recovering the antibody or light chain or recovering a cell producing the antibody or light chain.

One embodiment of the method further comprises humanizing said antibody or antibody light chain comprising replacing the non-human vertebrate constant region with a human constant region, optionally by engineering of the nucleic acid encoding the antibody or light chain.

Described herein is a humanised antibody or antibody light chain produced according to said method, or a derivative thereof.

Also described herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the humanised antibody or chain produced according to the methods described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

-   -   The invention provides the following aspects (starting at aspect         number 103):—

-   103. A cell or non human mammal according to any one of the above     configurations, examples, embodiments or aspects, wherein the mammal     is a mouse or the cell is a mouse cell and wherein the insertion of     the human heavy chain DNA is made in a mouse genome between     coordinates 114,667,091 and 114,665,190 of mouse chromosome 12.

-   104. A cell or non human mammal according to any one of the above     configurations, examples, embodiments or aspects, wherein the     insertion of the human heavy chain DNA is made at coordinate     114,667,091.

-   105. A cell or mammal according to any one of the above     configurations, examples, embodiments or aspects, wherein the human     IgH VDJ region comprises nucleotides 105,400,051 to 106,368,585 from     human chromosome 14 (coordinates refer to NCBI36 for the human     genome).

-   106. A method, cell or mammal according to any one of the above     configurations, examples, embodiments or aspects, wherein a human     coding region DNA sequence is in a functional arrangement with a     non-human mammal control sequence, such that transcription of the     human DNA is controlled by the non-human mammal control sequence.

-   107. A method according to aspect 106 wherein the initiation     cassette is inserted between the mouse J4 and C alpha exons.

-   108. An initiation cassette suitable for use in the method of aspect     107 comprising a vector backbone sequence and a selection marker.

Inactivation of endogenous antibody chain expression by insertion of human antibody variable region gene segments

-   109. A non-human vertebrate (optionally a mouse or rat) or non-human     vertebrate cell (optionally a mouse or rat cell) having a genome     that     -   (i) comprises a transgenic antibody chain locus capable of         expressing an antibody chain comprising a human variable region         (optionally following antibody gene rearrangement); and     -   (ii) is inactivated for endogenous non-human vertebrate antibody         chain expression; wherein the transgenic locus comprises     -   (iii) a DNA sequence comprising a plurality of human antibody         variable region gene segments inserted between endogenous         antibody variable region gene segments and an endogenous         antibody constant region, whereby endogenous antibody chain         expression is inactivated.

The transgenic locus is a heavy chain or light chain locus.

Inactivation of endogenous heavy chain expression in non-human vertebrates such as mice and rats has involved the deletion of all or part of the endogenous heavy chain VDJ region (including sequences between gene segments). The ADAM6 genes are present in the endogenous mouse VDJ region. In mouse, there are two copies of ADAM6 (ADAM6a, ADAM6b) located between the VH and D gene segments in the IgH locus of chromosome 12 (in the intervening region between mouse VH5-1 and D1-1 gene segments). These two adjacent intronless ADAM6 genes have 95% nucleotide sequence identity and 90% amino acid identity. In human and rat, there is only one ADAM6 gene. Expression pattern analysis of mouse ADAM6 shows that it is exclusively expressed in testis [1]. Although ADAM6 transcripts can be detected in lymphocytes, it is restricted to the nucleus, suggesting that the transcription of ADAM6 gene in particular was due to transcriptional read-through from the D region rather than active messenger RNA production [2]. In rat, ADAM6 is on chromosome 6.

Mature ADAM6 protein is located on the acrosome and the posterior regions of sperm head. Notably, ADAM6 forms a complex with ADAM2 and ADAM3, which is required for fertilization in mice [3]. Reference [4] implicates ADAM6 in a model where this protein interacts with ADAM3 after ADAM6 is sulphated by TPST2, sulphation of ADAM6 being critical for stability and/or complex formation involving ADAM6 and ADAM3, and thus ADAM6 and ADAM3 are lost from Tpst2-null sperm. The study observes that Tpst2-deficient mice have male infertility, sperm mobility defects and possible abnormalities in sperm-egg membrane interactions.

Thus, the maintenance of ADAM6 expression in sperm is crucial for fertility. Thus, it is thought that transgenic male mice and rats in which ADAM6 genes have been deleted are not viably fertile. This hampers breeding of colonies and hampers the utility of such mice as transgenic antibody-generating platforms. It would be desirable to provide improved non-human transgenic antibody-generating vertebrates that are fertile.

-   -   [1]. Choi I, et. al., Characterization and comparative genomic         analysis of intronless Adams with testicular gene expression.         Genomics. 2004 April; 83(4):636-46.     -   [2]. Featherstone K, Wood A L, Bowen A J, Corcoran A E. The         mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain V-D intergenic sequence         contains insulators that may regulate ordered V(D)J         recombination. J Biol Chem. 2010 Mar. 26; 285(13):9327-38. Epub         2010 Jan. 25.     -   [3]. Han C, et. al., Comprehensive analysis of reproductive         ADAMs: relationship of ADAM4 and ADAM6 with an ADAM complex         required for fertilization in mice. Biol Reprod. 2009 May;         80(5):1001-8. Epub 2009 Jan. 7.     -   [4]. Marcello et al, Lack of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase-2         activity results in altered sperm-egg interactions and loss of         ADAM3 and ADAM6 in epididymal sperm, J Biol Chem. 2011 Apr. 15;         286(15):13060-70. Epub 2011 Feb. 21.

According to aspect 109 of the invention, inactivation does not involve deletion of the VDJ region or part thereof including endogenous ADAM6, but instead inactivation by insertion allows for the preservation of endogenous ADAM6 and thus does not risk infertility problems.

The final mouse resulting from the method (or a mouse derived from a cell produced by the method) is in one embodiment a male, so that the invention improves upon the prior art male transgenic mice that are infertile as a result of genomic manipulation. Fertile mice produce sperm that can fertilise eggs from a female mouse. Fertility is readily determined, for example, by successfully breeding to produce an embryo or child mouse. In another embodiment, the method of the invention makes a final female mouse. Such females are, of course, useful for breeding to create male progeny carrying ADAM6 and which are fertile.

In one embodiment of aspect 109, the genome is homozygous for the transgenic locus. For example, the genome is homozygous for endogenous ADAM6 genes.

In one embodiment of the vertebrate of aspect 109, the genome is inactivated for expression of endogenous heavy and kappa (and optionally also lambda) chains.

In one embodiment, in part (iii) of aspect 109 said DNA comprises human VH, D and JH gene segments or human VL and JL gene segments (eg, Vκ and Jκ gene segments). In an example, the DNA comprises a landing pad having a selectable marker, eg, a HPRT gene, neomycin resistance gene or a puromycin resistance gene; and/or a promoter.

In one embodiment, in part (iii) of aspect 109 the endogenous gene segments are the entire endogenous VDJ region of a heavy chain locus and/or the endogenous constant region is a Cmu or Cgamma.

In one embodiment, in part (iii) of aspect 109 the endogenous gene segments are the entire endogenous VJ region of a kappa chain locus and/or the endogenous constant region is a Ckappa

In one embodiment, in part (iii) of aspect 109 the endogenous gene segments are the entire endogenous VJ region of a lambda chain locus and/or the endogenous constant region is a Clambda.

The non-human vertebrate cell can be a hybridoma, B-cell, ES cell or an IPS cell. When the cell is an ES cell or IPS cell, the endogenous antibody chain expression is inactivated following differentiation of the cell into a progeny B-cell (eg, in a B-cell in a non-human vertebrate).

The invention further provides:—

-   110. The vertebrate or cell according to aspect 109, wherein said     plurality of human antibody gene segments comprises at least 11     human V segments and/or at least 6 human J segments, eg at least 11     human VH gene segments and at least 6 human JH segments and     optionally also at least 27 human D segments; optionally with the     human inter-gene segment intervening sequences. In an embodiment,     the human antibody gene segments are provided by a stretch of DNA     sequence of human chromosome 14, comprising the gene segments and     intervening sequences in germline configuration. -   111. The vertebrate or cell according to aspect 109 or 110, wherein     said inserted DNA sequence comprises a human nucleotide sequence     comprising said antibody gene segments, wherein the nucleotide     sequence is at least 110, 130, 150, 170, 190, 210, 230, 250, 270 or     290 kb. In an embodiment, the nucleotide sequence corresponds to a     stretch of DNA sequence of human chromosome 14, comprising the gene     segments and intervening sequences in germline configuration, eg, at     least a sequence corresponding to the nucleotide sequence from     coordinate 106328951 to coordinate 106601551 of a human chromosome     14, eg, a sequence in the GRCH37/hg19 sequence database. -   112. The vertebrate or cell according to aspect 109, wherein the     transgenic locus is a light chain kappa locus and the human antibody     gene segments are between the 3′-most endogenous Jk gene segment and     endogenous Ck; optionally wherein the human antibody gene segments     comprise five functional human Jλ-Cλ clusters and at least one human     Vλ gene segment, eg, at least a sequence corresponding to the     nucleotide sequence from coordinate 23217291 to 23327884 of a lambda     locus found on a human chromosome 22. -   113. The vertebrate or cell according to any one of aspects 109 to     112, wherein the transgenic locus is a heavy chain locus and the     human antibody gene segments are between the 3′-most endogenous JH     gene segment (eg, JH4 in a mouse genome) and endogenous Cmu. -   114. The vertebrate or cell according to any one of aspects 109 to     113, wherein the genome is homozygous for said transgenic locus.

115. A mouse or mouse cell or a rat or rat cell according to any one of aspects 109 to 114.

-   116. A method of making a non-human vertebrate cell (optionally a     mouse or rat cell), the method comprising     -   (a) providing a non-human ES cell whose genome comprises an         endogenous antibody chain locus comprising endogenous antibody         variable region gene segments and an endogenous antibody         constant region; and     -   (b) making a transgenic antibody chain locus by inserting into         said endogenous locus a DNA sequences comprising a plurality of         human antibody variable region gene segments between said         endogenous antibody variable region gene segments and said         endogenous constant region, so that the human antibody variable         region gene segments are operably connected upstream of the         endogenous constant region,     -   whereby a non-human vertebrate ES cell is produced that is         capable of giving rise to a progeny cell in which endogenous         antibody expression is inactivated and wherein the progeny is         capable of expressing antibodies comprising human variable         regions; and     -   (c) optionally differentiating said ES cell into said progeny         cell or a non-human vertebrate (eg, mouse or rat) comprising         said progeny cell. -   117. The method according to aspect 116, wherein said plurality of     human antibody gene segments comprises at least 11 human V segments. -   118. The method according to aspect 116 or 117, wherein said     plurality of human antibody gene segments comprises at least 6 human     J segments. -   119. The method according to aspect 116, 117 or 118, wherein a human     nucleotide sequence is inserted in step (b), the nucleotide sequence     comprising said antibody gene segments, wherein the nucleotide     sequence is at least 110 kb. -   120. The method according to any one of aspects 110 to 113, wherein     the endogenous locus is a heavy chain locus and the human antibody     gene segments are between the 3′-most endogenous JH gene segment and     endogenous Cmu. -   121. The method according to any one of aspects 116 to 120, wherein     the progeny cell is homozygous for said transgenic locus.

In one embodiment of the method of aspect 116, the method comprises inactivating the genome for expression of endogenous heavy and kappa (and optionally also lambda) chains.

In one embodiment of the method of aspect 116, in part (b) said DNA sequence comprises human VH, D and JH gene segments or human VL and JL gene segments (eg, Vκ and Jκ gene segments). In an example, the DNA comprises a landing pad having a selectable marker, eg, a HPRT gene, neomycin resistance gene or a puromycin resistance gene; and/or a promoter.

In one embodiment, in part (b) of aspect 116 the endogenous gene segments are the entire endogenous VDJ region of a heavy chain locus and/or the endogenous constant region is a Cmu or Cgamma.

In one embodiment, in part (b) of aspect 116 the endogenous gene segments are the entire endogenous VJ region of a kappa chain locus and/or the endogenous constant region is a Ckappa

In one embodiment, in part (b) of aspect 116 the endogenous gene segments are the entire endogenous VJ region of a lambda chain locus and/or the endogenous constant region is a Clambda.

The non-human vertebrate cell can be a hybridoma, B-cell, ES cell or an IPS cell. When the cell is an ES cell or IPS cell, the endogenous antibody chain expression is inactivated following differentiation of the cell into a progeny B-cell (eg, in a B-cell in a non-human vertebrate).

The invention further provides:—

The method according to aspect 116, wherein said inserted DNA sequence comprises a human nucleotide sequence comprising said human antibody gene segments, wherein the nucleotide sequence is at least 110, 130, 150, 170, 190, 210, 230, 250, 270 or 290 kb. In an embodiment, the nucleotide sequence corresponds to a stretch of DNA sequence of human chromosome 14, comprising the gene segments and intervening sequences in germline configuration, eg, at least a sequence corresponding to the nucleotide sequence from coordinate 106328951 to coordinate 106601551 of a human chromosome 14, eg, a sequence in the GRCH37/hg19 sequence database.

The method according to aspect 116, wherein the transgenic locus is a light chain kappa locus and the human antibody gene segments are between the 3′-most endogenous Jk gene segment and endogenous Ck; optionally wherein the human antibody gene segments comprise five functional human Jλ-Cλ clusters and at least one human Vλ gene segment, eg, at least a sequence corresponding to the nucleotide sequence from coordinate 23217291 to 23327884 of a lambda locus found on a human chromosome 22.

The method according to aspect 116, wherein, wherein the transgenic locus is a heavy chain locus and the human antibody gene segments are inserted between the 3′-most endogenous JH gene segment (eg, JH4 in a mouse genome) and endogenous Cmu.

-   122. The method according to any one of aspects 116 to 121,     comprising making the genome of the progeny homozygous for said     transgenic locus.     -   Isolating antibodies from transgenic non-human vertebrates of         the invention & useful antigen-specific antibodies of         therapeutically-relevant affinities -   123. A method of isolating an antibody that binds a predetermined     antigen, the method comprising     -   (a) providing a vertebrate (optionally a mammal; optionally a         mouse or rat according to any one of the above configurations,         examples, embodiments or aspects;     -   (b) immunising said vertebrate with said antigen (optionally         wherein the antigen is an antigen of an infectious disease         pathogen);     -   (c) removing B lymphocytes from the vertebrate and selecting one         or more B lymphocytes expressing antibodies that bind to the         antigen;     -   (d) optionally immortalising said selected B lymphocytes or         progeny thereof, optionally by producing hybridomas therefrom;         and     -   (e) isolating an antibody (eg, and IgG-type antibody) expressed         by the B lymphocytes. -   124. The method of aspect 123, comprising the step of isolating from     said B lymphocytes nucleic acid encoding said antibody that binds     said antigen; optionally exchanging the heavy chain constant region     nucleotide sequence of the antibody with a nucleotide sequence     encoding a human or humanised heavy chain constant region and     optionally affinity maturing the variable region of said antibody;     and optionally inserting said nucleic acid into an expression vector     and optionally a host. -   125. The method of aspect 123 or 124, further comprising making a     mutant or derivative of the antibody produced by the method of     aspect 122 or 123.

As demonstrated by the examples below, the non-human vertebrates of the invention are able to produce antigen-specific antibodies of sub-50 nM affinity with human sequences in their CDR3 regions. Thus, the invention further provides:—

-   126. An antibody or fragment (eg, a Fab or Fab₂) thereof comprising     variable regions that specifically bind a predetermined antigen with     a sub-50 nM affinity (optionally sub-40, 30, 20, 10, 1, 0.1 or 0.01     nM) as determined by surface plasmon resonance, wherein the antibody     is isolated from a non-human vertebrate (optionally a mammal;     optionally a mouse or rat) according to any one of the above     configurations, examples, embodiments or aspects and comprises heavy     chain CDR3s (as defined by Kabat) encoded by a rearranged VDJ of     said vertebrate, wherein the VDJ is the product of rearrangement in     vivo of a human JH gene segment of a heavy chain locus of said     vertebrate with D (optionally a human D gene segment of said locus)     and VH gene segments.     -   In one embodiment, the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is         carried out at 25° C. In another embodiment, the SPR is carried         out at 37° C.

In one embodiment, the SPR is carried out at physiological pH, such as about pH7 or at pH7.6 (eg, using Hepes buffered saline at pH7.6 (also referred to as HBS-EP)).

In one embodiment, the SPR is carried out at a physiological salt level, eg, 150 mM NaCl.

In one embodiment, the SPR is carried out at a detergent level of no greater than 0.05% by volume, eg, in the presence of P20 (polysorbate 20; eg, Tween-20™) at 0.05% and EDTA at 3 mM.

In one example, the SPR is carried out at 25° C. or 37° C. in a buffer at pH7.6, 150 mM NaCl, 0.05% detergent (eg, P20) and 3 mM EDTA. The buffer can contain 10 mM Hepes.

In one example, the SPR is carried out at 25° C. or 37° C. in HBS-EP. HBS-EP is available from Teknova Inc (California; catalogue number H8022).

In an example, the affinity of the antibody is determined using SPR by

-   -   1. Coupling anti-mouse (or other relevant non-human vertebrate)         IgG (eg, Biacore BR-1008-38) to a biosensor chip (eg, GLM chip)         such as by primary amine coupling;     -   2. Exposing the anti-mouse IgG (non-human vertebrate antibody)         to a test IgG antibody to capture test antibody on the chip;     -   3. Passing the test antigen over the chip's capture surface at         1024 nM, 256 nM, 64 nM, 16 nM, 4 nM with a 0 nM (i.e. buffer         alone); and     -   4. And determining the affinity of binding of test antibody to         test antigen using surface plasmon resonance, eg, under an SPR         condition discussed above (eg, at 25° C. in physiological         buffer). SPR can be carried out using any standard SPR         apparatus, such as by Biacore™ or using the ProteOn XPR36™         (Bio-Rad®).

Regeneration of the capture surface can be carried out with 10 mM glycine at pH1.7. This removes the captured antibody and allows the surface to be used for another interaction. The binding data can be fitted to 1:1 model inherent using standard techniques, eg, using a model inherent to the ProteOn XPR36™ analysis software.

The invention also relates to an scFv, diabody or other antibody fragment comprising a VH and VL domain from an antibody or fragment of aspect 126 (optionally following affinity maturation, eg, by phage display).

In one embodiment, the antigen is a serpin, eg, ovalbumin, antithrombin or antitrypsin. Serpins are a group of proteins with similar structures that were first identified as a set of proteins able to inhibit proteases. The acronym serpin was originally coined because many serpins inhibit chymotrypsin-like serine proteases (serine protease inhibitors). The first members of the serpin superfamily to be extensively studied were the human plasma proteins antithrombin and antitrypsin, which play key roles in controlling blood coagulation and inflammation, respectively. Initially, research focused upon their role in human disease: antithrombin deficiency results in thrombosis and antitrypsin deficiency causes emphysema. In 1980 Hunt and Dayhoff made the surprising discovery that both these molecules share significant amino acid sequence similarity to the major protein in chicken egg white, ovalbumin, and they proposed a new protein superfamily.

-   127. An antibody or fragment that is identical to an antibody of     aspect 126 or a derivative thereof (optionally a derivative whose     constant regions are human and/or an affinity matured derivative)     that specifically binds said antigen with a sub-50 nM affinity as     determined by surface plasmon resonance. -   128. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody or fragment     of aspect 126 or 127 and a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent,     excipient or carrier. -   129. A nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region of     an antibody or fragment of aspect 126 or 127, optionally as part of     a vector (eg, an expression vector). -   130. The nucleotide sequence of aspect 129, wherein the sequence is     a cDNA derived from a B-cell of the vertebrate from which the     antibody of aspect 126 is isolated, or is identical to such a cDNA. -   131. An isolated host cell (eg, a hybridoma or a CHO cell or a     HEK293 cell) comprising a nucleotide sequence according to aspect     129 or 130. -   132. A method of isolating an antibody that binds a predetermined     antigen, the method comprising     -   (a) providing a vertebrate (optionally a mammal; optionally a         mouse or rat according to any one of the above configurations,         examples, embodiments or aspects;     -   (b) immunising said vertebrate with said antigen;     -   (c) removing B lymphocytes from the vertebrate and selecting a B         lymphocyte expressing an antibody that binds to the antigen with         sub-nM affinity, wherein the antibody is according to aspect         126;     -   (d) optionally immortalising said selected B lymphocyte or         progeny thereof, optionally by producing hybridomas therefrom;         and     -   (e) isolating an antibody (eg, and IgG-type antibody) expressed         by the B lymphocyte. -   133. The method of aspect 132, comprising the step of isolating from     said B lymphocyte nucleic acid encoding said antibody that binds     said antigen; optionally exchanging the heavy chain constant region     nucleotide sequence of the antibody with a nucleotide sequence     encoding a human or humanised heavy chain constant region and     optionally affinity maturing the variable region of said antibody;     and optionally inserting said nucleic acid into an expression vector     and optionally a host. -   134. The method of aspect 132 or 133, further comprising making a     mutant or derivative of the antibody produced by the method of     aspect 132 or 133.

Inactivation by inversion of endogenous VDJ to genome desert regions

-   135. A mouse or mouse cell comprising inverted endogenous heavy     chain gene segments (eg, VH, D and JH, such as the entire endogenous     heavy chain VDJ region) that are immediately 3′ of position     119753123, 119659458 or 120918606 on an endogenous mouse chromosome     12, wherein the mouse comprises a transgenic heavy chain locus     comprising a plurality of human VH gene segments, a plurality of     human D segments and a plurality of human JH segments operably     connected upstream of an endogenous constant region (eg, C mu) so     that the mouse or cell (optionally following differentiation into a     B-cell) is capable of expressing an antibody comprising a variable     region comprising sequences derived from the human gene segments. -   136. The mouse or cell of aspect 135, wherein the genome of the     mouse or cell is homozygous for said chromosome 12. -   137. A cassette for inversion and inactivation of endogenous     non-human vertebrate (eg, mouse or rat) antibody chain gene     segments, the segments being part of an antibody chain locus     sequence on a chromosome of a non-human vertebrate (eg, mouse or     rat) cell (eg, ES cell) wherein the sequence is flanked at its 3′     end by a site-specific recombination site (eg, lox, rox or frt), the     cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an expressible     label or selectable marker and a compatible site-specific     recombination site (eg, lox, rox or frt) flanked by a 5′ and a 3′     homology arm, wherein the homology arms correspond to or are     homologous to adjacent stretches of sequence in the cell genome on a     different chromosome or on said chromosome at least 10 mb away from     the endogenous gene segments. -   138. A cassette for inversion and inactivation of endogenous mouse     antibody heavy chain gene segments, the segments being part of a     heavy chain locus sequence on chromosome 12 of a mouse cell (eg, ES     cell) wherein the sequence is flanked at its 3′ end by a     site-specific recombination site (eg, lox, rox or frt), the cassette     comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an expressible label or     selectable marker and a compatible site-specific recombination site     (eg, lox, rox or frt) flanked by a 5′ and a 3′ homology arm,     wherein (i) the 5′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from     coordinate 119753124 to coordinate 119757104 and the 3′ homology arm     is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 119749288 to     119753123; (ii) the 5′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from     coordinate 119659459 to coordinate 119663126 and the 3′ homology arm     is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 119656536 to 119659458;     or (iii) the 5′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from     coordinate 120918607 to coordinate 120921930 and the 3′ homology arm     is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 120915475 to 120918606. -   139. A method of inactivating gene segments of an endogenous     antibody locus, the method comprising     -   (i) Providing a non-human vertebrate cell (eg, an ES cell, eg, a         mouse ES cell) whose genome comprises an antibody chain locus         comprising endogenous variable region gene segments;     -   (ii) Targeting a site-specific recombination site to flank the         3′ of the 3′-most of said endogenous gene segments;     -   (iii) Targeting a second site-specific recombination site at         least 10 mb away from said endogenous gene segments, the second         site being compatible with the first site inverted with respect         to the first site;     -   (iv) Expressing a recombinase compatible with said sites to         effect site-specific recombination between said sites, thereby         inverting and moving said gene segments away from said locus,         wherein the endogenous gene segments are inactivated; and     -   (v) Optionally developing the cell into a progeny cell or         vertebrate (eg, mouse or rat) whose genome is homozygous for the         inversion. -   140. A mouse or mouse cell whose genome comprises an inversion of a     chromosome 12, wherein the inversion comprises inverted endogenous     heavy chain gene segments (eg, VH, D and JH, such as the entire     endogenous heavy chain VDJ region); wherein the mouse comprises a     transgenic heavy chain locus comprising a plurality of human VH gene     segments, a plurality of human D segments and a plurality of human     JH segments operably connected upstream of an endogenous constant     region (eg, C mu) so that the mouse or cell (optionally following     differentiation into a B-cell) is capable of expressing an antibody     comprising a variable region comprising sequences derived from the     human gene segments; and wherein the inversion is (i) an inversion     of mouse chromosome 12 from coordinate 119753123 to coordinate     114666436; (ii) an inversion of mouse chromosome 12 from coordinate     119659458 to coordinate 114666436; or (iii) an inversion of mouse     chromosome 12 from coordinate 12091806 to coordinate 114666436.

Other Aspects Include:

A method for producing an antibody specific to a desired antigen the method comprising immunizing a non-human mammal as disclosed herein with the desired antigen and recovering the antibody or a cell producing the antibody.

A method for producing a fully humanised antibody comprising immunizing a non-human mammal as disclosed herein and then replacing the non-human mammal constant region of an antibody specifically reactive with the antigen with a human constant region, suitably by engineering of the nucleic acid encoding the antibody.

A method, cell or mammal as disclosed herein wherein a human coding region DNA sequence is in a functional arrangement with a non-human mammal control sequence, such that transcription of the DNA is controlled by the non-human mammal control sequence. In one aspect the human coding region V, D or J region is in a functional arrangement with a mouse promoter sequence.

The invention also relates to a humanised antibody produced according to any methods disclosed herein and use of a humanised antibody so produced in medicine.

Endogenous Light Chain Inactivation & High Expression of Human Lambda Variable Regions in Transgenic Non-Human Vertebrates & Cells

As explained further in the examples below, the inventors have surprisingly observed very high expression levels of light chains comprising human lambda variable regions (at least 80% human V lambda) from transgenic light chain loci produced by targeted insertion of human lambda gene segments into endogenous non-human vertebrate light chain loci. This is possible even in the presence of endogenous non-human vertebrate V and J gene segments in the vertebrate genome. Also, the surprisingly high levels of expression are achieved when insertion of human lambda gene segments are in the endogenous kappa or lambda locus. Such high levels by targeted insertion has not hitherto been published in the art.

The inventors also surprisingly observed that endogenous kappa chain expression can be completely inactivated by targeted insertion of human lambda gene sequence into the endogenous kappa locus, as explained further in the examples.

The targeted insertion of human gene segments into endogenous Ig loci is advantageous because it enables the operable location of inserted human Ig sequences with respect to endogenous Ig constant regions and endogenous control regions, such as enhancers and other locus control regions for example. Thus, targeted insertion allows one to harness endogenous control important in one or more of Ig gene segment recombination, allelic exclusion, affinity maturation, class switching, levels of Ig expression and desirable development of the B-cell compartment. As such, targeted insertion is superior to early attempts in the art to produce transgenic Ig loci and expression, which attempts relied on the introduction into non-human vertebrate cells of vectors such as YACs bearing human Ig gene segments. YACs are randomly integrated into the vertebrate cell genome, so that it is difficult to achieve the control provided by targeted insertion and the concomitant benefits that are brought in terms of harnessing endogenous control mechanisms. In addition, random insertion often results in the inserted human Ig gene segments coming under the control of heterologous control elements and/or epigenetic chromosomal modifications such as methylation and chromatin confirmations, either of which can be detrimental to proper Ig gene segment recombination, allelic exclusion, affinity maturation, class switching, levels of Ig expression and desirable development of the B-cell compartment. Random insertion typically results in 2 or more copies of the introduced transgene which can cause chromosomal instability and therefore result in poor breeding performance of the animals in addition to detrimental effects on proper Ig gene segment recombination, allelic exclusion, affinity maturation, class switching, levels of Ig expression and desirable development of the B-cell compartment. Thus, prior art attempts using random insertion have tended to lead to poor B-cell development, relatively small B-cell compartments and inferior Ig expression and a concomitant difficulty in isolating an antibody with a desired characteristic.

The invention therefore provides the following aspects:—

-   -   ≧80% human lambda variable regions

-   1. A non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat) whose genome     comprises an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by targeted     insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig     loci, the genome comprising human Vλ and Jλ gene segments upstream     of a constant region, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments have     been provided by insertion into an endogenous light chain locus of     the vertebrate, wherein the vertebrate expresses immunoglobulin     light chains comprising lambda variable regions (lambda light     chains), and wherein at least 80% of the variable regions of the     lambda light chains expressed by the vertebrate are derived from     recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments. This is demonstrated     in the examples below.

For example, at least 70, 75, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99%, or 100% of the variable regions of the lambda light chains expressed by the vertebrate are derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments. This is demonstrated in the examples below.

In one embodiment, there is provided a non-human vertebrate ES cell (eg, a mouse ES cell or rat ES cell) whose genome comprises an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome comprising human Vλ and Jλ gene segments upstream of a constant region, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments have been provided by insertion into an endogenous light chain locus of the vertebrate cell, wherein the cell can develop into a vertebrate that expresses immunoglobulin light chains comprising lambda variable regions (lambda light chains), and wherein at least 80% (for example, at least 70, 75, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99%, or 100%) of the variable regions of the lambda light chains expressed by the vertebrate are derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments.

-   2. The vertebrate or cell of aspect 1, optionally wherein the human     Vλ and Jλ insertion comprises at least the functional human V and J     gene segments (optionally also human Cλ) comprised by a human lambda     chain Ig locus from Vλ2-18 to Cλ7. In one example, the insertion     also comprises lambda inter-gene segment sequences. These are human     sequences or they can be sequences of the non-human vertebrate     species (eg, where the vertebrate is a mouse, sequences between     corresponding mouse lambda gene segments can be used). -   3. The vertebrate or cell of aspect 1 or 2, optionally wherein the     genome is homozygous for the human Vλ and Jλ gene segment insertion     and endogenous kappa chain expression in said vertebrate is     substantially or completely inactive. In one example, less than 10,     5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0.5% of light chains are provided by endogenous     kappa chains (ie, kappa chains whose variable regions are derived     from recombination of non-human vertebrate V and J gene segments). -   4. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally     wherein the endogenous locus is an endogenous kappa locus. -   5. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally     wherein the endogenous locus is an endogenous lambda locus.     -   ≧60% of all light chains have human lambda V regions -   6. A non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat) whose genome     comprises an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by targeted     insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig     loci, the genome comprising (i) human Vλ and Jλ gene segments     upstream of a constant region, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene     segments have been provided by insertion into an endogenous light     chain locus of the vertebrate and (ii) kappa V gene segments     upstream of a constant region, wherein the vertebrate expresses     immunoglobulin light chains comprising human lambda variable regions     (human lambda light chains), and wherein at least 60% of the light     chains expressed by the vertebrate are provided by said human lambda     light chains. This is demonstrated in the examples below.

For example, at least 65, 70, 75, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99%, or 100% of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate are provided by said human lambda light chains. For example, at least 84% of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate are provided by said human lambda light chains. For example, at least 95% of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate are provided by said human lambda light chains. This is demonstrated in the examples below.

In one embodiment, there is provided a non-human vertebrate ES cell (eg, a mouse ES cell or rat ES cell) whose genome comprises an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome comprising (i) human Vλ and Jλ gene segments upstream of a constant region, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments have been provided by insertion into an endogenous light chain locus of the vertebrate and (ii) kappa V gene segments upstream of a constant region, wherein the cell can develop into a vertebrate that expresses immunoglobulin light chains comprising human lambda variable regions (human lambda light chains), and wherein at least 60% of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate are provided by said human lambda light chains.

-   7. A non-human vertebrate or a non-human vertebrate cell (eg, a     mouse, rat, mouse cell or a rat cell) whose genome comprises an Ig     gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig     gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome     comprising a targeted insertion of human immunoglobulin VA and Jλ     gene segments into an endogenous non-human vertebrate light kappa or     lambda chain locus downstream of endogenous VL and JL gene segments     for expression of a light chains comprising human lambda variable     regions; wherein the human Vλ and Jλ insertion comprises at least     the functional human V and J (and optionally also functional human     Cλ) gene segments comprised by a human lambda chain Ig locus from     Vλ2-18 to Cλ7.

As demonstrated in the examples, endogenous light chain expression from said locus is inactivated and also human lambda variable region expression dominates over endogenous lambda variable region expression.

By “downstream” is meant 3′ of the gene segments on the same chromosome. In one example, the endogenous V and J gene segments are inverted with respect to the human gene segments and optionally moved out of the endogenous light chain locus. In one example, the human gene segments are downstream of all of the endogenous V and J segments of said kappa or lambda locus. The possibility of retaining the endogenous V-J sequences and intergenic sequences is advantageous since embedded control regions and/or genes are retained that may be desirable in the vertebrate.

Optionally the insertion also comprises lambda inter-gene segment sequences. These are human sequences or they can be sequences of the non-human vertebrate species (eg, where the vertebrate is a mouse, sequences between corresponding mouse lambda gene segments can be used).

Expression of VJCλ Lambda Chains

-   8. A non-human vertebrate or a non-human vertebrate cell (eg, a     mouse, rat, mouse cell or a rat cell) whose genome comprises an Ig     gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig     gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome     comprising a targeted insertion of human immunoglobulin Vλ, Jλ and     Cλ genes into an endogenous non-human vertebrate kappa or lambda     light chain locus upstream of an endogenous non-human vertebrate     kappa or lambda constant region for expression of a human VJC light     chain; optionally wherein the human VJC insertion comprises at least     the functional human V, J and C gene segments comprised by a human     lambda chain Ig locus from Vλ3-1 to Cλ7 (eg, comprised by a human     lambda chain Ig locus from 2-18 to Cλ7).

As demonstrated in the examples, human lambda variable region expression dominates over endogenous kappa variable region expression. Endogenous kappa chain expression from the endogenous locus can be inactivated.

Optionally the insertion also comprises lambda inter-gene segment sequences. These are human sequences or they can be sequences of the non-human vertebrate species (eg, where the vertebrate is a mouse, sequences between corresponding mouse lambda gene segments can be used).

-   9. A non-human vertebrate or a non-human vertebrate cell (eg, a     mouse, rat, mouse cell or a rat cell) whose genome comprises an Ig     gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig     gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome     comprising a targeted insertion of at least the functional human Vλ     and Jλ (and optionally human functional CIS) gene segments comprised     by a human lambda chain Ig locus from Vλ3-1 to Cλ7 (optionally from     Vλ2-18 to Cλ7) into an endogenous non-human vertebrate kappa light     chain locus downstream of the mouse Vκ and Jκ gene segments for     expression of a light chain comprising a human lambda variable     region, whereby in the presence of said insertion expression of     endogenous kappa light chains derived from said mouse Vκ and Jλ gene     segments is substantially or completely inactivated.

In one example, less than 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0.5% of light chains are provided by endogenous kappa chains (ie, kappa chains whose variable regions are derived from recombination of non-human vertebrate Vκ and Jκ gene segments).

Optionally the insertion also comprises lambda inter-gene segment sequences. These are human sequences or they can be sequences of the non-human vertebrate species (eg, where the vertebrate is a mouse, sequences between corresponding mouse lambda gene segments can be used).

-   10. A non-human vertebrate or a non-human vertebrate cell (eg, a     mouse, rat, mouse cell or a rat cell), wherein in the genome of     which the mouse IgK-VJ has been moved away from the mouse Eκ     enhancer, thereby inactivating endogenous IgK-VJ regions. This is     demonstrated in the examples. -   11. The vertebrate of cell of aspect 10, optionally wherein the     IgK-VJ has been moved away from the mouse Eκ enhancer by insertion     of human VL and JL gene segments between the mouse IgK-VJ and the Eκ     enhancer; optionally wherein the insertion is an insertion as     recited in any preceding aspect 1-9 or an insertion of human Vκ and     Jκ gene segments. -   12. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally     wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments have been inserted within     100, 75, 50, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10 or 5 kb of an endogenous non-human     vertebrate light chain enhancer. In one example, the enhancer is a     lambda enhancer (eg, mouse Eλ2-4, Eλ4-10 or Eλ3-1) when the     insertion is into an endogenous lambda locus. In one example, the     enhancer is a kappa enhancer (eg, iEκ or 3′Eκ) when the insertion is     into an endogenous kappa locus. -   13. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally     wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are provided in the genome     by the targeted insertion of at least 10 human Vλ gene segments with     human Jλ gene segments upstream of an endogenous non-human     vertebrate light chain constant region of said light chain locus.     For example, the human gene segments are provided by insertion of at     least a portion of a human Ig lambda chain locus from Vλ2-18 to     Vλ3-1; or at least a portion of a human Ig lambda chain locus from     Vλ2-18 to Vλ3-1 inserted with Jλ1, Jλ2, Jλ3, Jλ6 and Jλ7; or at     least a portion of a human Ig lambda chain locus from Vλ2-18 to Cλ7     (optionally excluding Jλ4Cλ4 and/or Jλ5Cλ5).

Optionally at least 2, 3, 4 or 5 human Jλ are inserted. In one embodiment, the inserted Jλs are different from each other. For example, human Jλ1, Jλ2, Jλ3, Jλ6 and Jλ7 are inserted, optionally as part of respective human JλCλ clusters.

Optionally a human light chain enhancer, eg Eλ, is inserted. For example, insertion of human Eλ between the human Jλ segments and the endogenous constant region; or between human Cλ gene segments (when these are inserted) and the endogenous constant region.

-   14. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally     wherein the lambda light chains provide a repertoire of human lambda     variable regions derived from human Vλ gene segments Vλ3-1 and     optionally one or more of Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11,     Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8 and Vλ4-3 that have been provided in the genome     by targeted insertion into said light chain locus.

This is useful because Vλ3-1 is a highly-used lambda gene segment in humans (FIG. 59; Ignatovich et al 1997) and thus it is desirable that cells and vertebrates of the invention provide for the inclusion of lambda variable regions based on this gene segment for selection against antigen, particularly for the development of antibody therapeutics for human use.

-   15. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally     wherein the lambda light chains provide a repertoire of human lambda     variable regions derived from human Vλ gene segments Vλ2-14 and one     or more of Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8,     Vλ4-3 and Vλ3-1 that have been provided in the genome by targeted     insertion into said light chain locus.

This is useful because Vλ2-14 is a highly-used lambda gene segment in humans and thus it is desirable that cells and vertebrates of the invention provide for the inclusion of lambda variable regions based on this gene segment for selection against antigen, particularly for the development of antibody therapeutics for human use.

The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally wherein the lambda light chains provide a repertoire of human lambda variable regions derived from human Vλ gene segments Vλ2-8 and one or more of Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3 and Vλ3-1 that have been provided in the genome by targeted insertion into said light chain locus.

This is useful because Vλ2-8 is a highly-used lambda gene segment in humans and thus it is desirable that cells and vertebrates of the invention provide for the inclusion of lambda variable regions based on this gene segment for selection against antigen, particularly for the development of antibody therapeutics for human use.

The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally wherein the lambda light chains provide a repertoire of human lambda variable regions derived from human Vλ gene segments Vλ3-10 and one or more of Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ2-14, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3 and Vλ3-1 that have been provided in the genome by targeted insertion into said light chain locus.

This is useful because Vλ3-10 is a highly-used lambda gene segment in humans and thus it is desirable that cells and vertebrates of the invention provide for the inclusion of lambda variable regions based on this gene segment for selection against antigen, particularly for the development of antibody therapeutics for human use.

-   16. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally     wherein the human Vλ gene segments comprise the functional Vλ     comprised by a human lambda chain Ig locus from Vλ2-18 to Vλ3-1.     -   For example, the human Vλ gene segments comprise at least human         V gene segment Vλ3-1 or at least segments Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14,         Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3 and Vλ3-1. -   17. The vertebrate of any preceding aspect, optionally wherein the     vertebrate expresses more lambda chains than kappa chains. Lambda     chains comprise variable regions derived from recombination of Vλ     and Jλ gene segments—for example, expressed with a lambda constant     region. Kappa chains comprise variable regions derived from     recombination of Vκ and Jκ gene segments—for example, expressed with     a kappa constant region. -   18. The vertebrate of any preceding aspect, optionally wherein the     vertebrate expresses no endogenous kappa chains. For example,     endogenous kappa chain expression can be inactivated by any of the     means described herein, such as by inversion of all or part of the     endogenous kappa VJ region or by insertion of a marker (eg, neo) or     other interfering sequence in an endogenous kappa locus (a locus not     comprising human lambda gene segments according to the invention). -   19. The vertebrate of any preceding aspect, optionally wherein kappa     chain expression is substantially or completely inactive in said     vertebrate. In one example, less than 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0.5% of     light chains are provided by kappa chains. -   20. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally     wherein a human Eλ enhancer is inserted in said endogenous non-human     vertebrate locus. For example, there is inserted a human 5′ MAR and     human Eλ (and optionally the human 3′ MAR) in germline     configuration. For example, there is inserted a sequence     corresponding to the human lambda intronic region immediately 3′ of     human Jλ7-Cλ7 to, and including, at least the human Eλ (and     optionally also the human 3′ MAR)—optionally including at least 30     kb of intronic region 3′ of the human Eλ. -   21. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, wherein     optionally at least human JC gene segments Jλ1-CΔ1, Jλ2-Cλ2,     Jλ3-Cλ3, Jλ6-Cλ6 and Jλ7-Cλ7 are inserted in addition to the other     human gene segments. -   22. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, wherein     optionally the inserted human gene segments are in germline     configuration; optionally with the human inter-gene segment     sequences or the corresponding endogenous non-human vertebrate     inter-gene segment sequences. -   23. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, wherein     optionally an endogenous non-human vertebrate light chain enhancer     is maintained in the endogenous locus; optionally in germline     configuration. For example, when the endogenous locus is a kappa     locus, an endogenous kappa enhancer is maintained. This can be the     iEk and/or the 3′Ek, optionally in germline configuration with     respect to an endogenous light chain constant region. This may be     useful to help control of light chain expression in the non-human     vertebrate or cell. -   24. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally     wherein the genome is heterozygous for the human lamabda insertion     at the endogenous locus. For example, heterozygous for the human VJ     or VJC insertion at an endogenous kappa (eg, mouse or rat kappa)     locus. This aids and simplifies breeding of the vertebrates since     the other endogenous locus (eg, the other kappa locus) can be used     to provide a different transgenic Ig locus, such as a transgenic     kappa locus comprising human kappa V and J gene segments either     upstream of the endogenous mouse kappa constant region or upstream     of a human kappa constant region. In this case, the kappa enhancers     (iEk and/or the 3′Ek) can be maintained in that kappa locus to aid     expression in the vertebrate by using endogenous control mechanisms.

In another embodiment, there is provided a non-human vertebrate or cell according to any preceding aspect, wherein

-   -   (a) the endogenous locus is an endogenous lambda locus (eg, in a         mouse), the genome being heterozygous for the insertion at the         lambda locus, thus one allele of the lambda locus comprising the         human Vλ and Jλ gene segment insertion (optionally with the         human Cλ gene segment insertion; optionally with the human Eλ         insertion) as described above;     -   (b) the other endogenous lambda allele comprises a plurality of         human Vκ gene segments and one or more human Jκ gene segments         upstream of a constant region (eg, a kappa constant region of         said non-human vertebrate species; a human kappa constant         region; the endogenous lambda constant region; or a human lambda         constant region); optionally with one or more kappa enhancers         (eg, iEk and/or the 3′Ek, eg, of said non-human vertebrate         species); and     -   (c) endogenous lambda and kappa chain expression has been         inactivated.

Thus, there is no expression of light chains comprising variable regions derived from recombination of endogenous V and J regions, but there is expression of human lambda and human kappa light chains from the alleles at the endogenous lambda locus. This is beneficial, since the design greatly aids construction and breeding of vertebrates by avoiding need to provide transgenic loci at both the endogenous lambda and kappa loci. The endogenous kappa locus (and thus endogenous kappa chain expression) can be inactivated by inversion, deletion of kappa gene segments (eg, endogenous V and/or J and/or C kappa) and/or by insertion of an interrupting sequence such as a marker (eg, neo) into the endogenous kappa locus.

The human kappa segment insertion into the endogenous lambda can be carried out, for example, by inserting a sequence corresponding to a portion of a human kappa locus comprising in germline configuration all functional human Vκ and Jκ (ie, optionally excluding pseudogenes and ORFs; see the IMGT database); and optionally also a human iEκ.

-   25. The vertebrate or cell of aspect 24, optionally wherein the     genome comprises said human lambda gene segment insertion at one     endogenous non-human vertebrate kappa locus allele, and wherein the     other endogenous kappa locus allele comprises an insertion of human     kappa immunoglobulin V and J genes upstream of an endogenous     non-human vertebrate kappa constant region; optionally wherein an     endogenous kappa light chain enhancer is maintained in one or both     kappa locus; optionally in germline configuration.

The vertebrate or cell of aspect 24, optionally wherein the genome comprises said human lambda gene segment insertion at one endogenous non-human vertebrate lambda locus allele, and wherein the other endogenous lambda locus allele comprises an insertion of human kappa immunoglobulin V and J genes upstream of an endogenous non-human vertebrate kappa constant region; optionally wherein an endogenous lambda light chain enhancer is maintained in one or both lambda locus; optionally in germline configuration.

-   26. The vertebrate or cell of claim 24, optionally wherein the     genome comprises said human lambda gene segment insertion at one     endogenous non-human vertebrate lambda locus allele, and wherein the     other endogenous lambda locus allele comprises an insertion of human     kappa immunoglobulin V and J genes upstream of an endogenous     non-human vertebrate kappa constant region; optionally wherein an     endogenous lambda light chain enhancer is maintained in one or both     kappa locus; optionally in germline configuration. -   27. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 1 to 23, optionally     wherein the genome is homozygous for the human lambda insertion at     the endogenous non-human vertebrate locus. -   28. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 1 to 23, optionally     wherein the genome is homozygous for a human lambda gene segment     insertion at the endogenous non-human vertebrate kappa and lambda     loci. -   29. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 1 to 23 and 28,     optionally wherein the genome is homozygous for a human lambda gene     segment insertion at the endogenous non-human vertebrate lambda     loci, one endogenous kappa locus allele comprising a human lambda     gene segment insertion and the other endogenous kappa locus allele     comprising an insertion of a plurality of human Vκ and Jκ gene     segments upstream of a Cκ region for the expression of kappa light     chains comprising human kappa variable regions. Human kappa variable     regions are those derived from the recombination of human Vκ and Jκ. -   30. The vertebrate or cell of aspect 27 or 28, optionally wherein     the human lambda gene segment insertions at the kappa and lambda     loci are insertions of the same repertoire of human lambda gene     segments. -   31. The vertebrate or cell of aspect 27 or 28, optionally wherein     the human lambda gene segment insertions at the kappa loci are     different from the human lambda gene segment insertions at the     lambda loci. This is useful for expanding the potential repertoire     of variable regions for subsequent selection against antigen. -   32. A non-human vertebrate or a non-human vertebrate cell (eg, a     mouse, rat, mouse cell or a rat cell) whose genome comprises an Ig     gene segment repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig     gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig loci, the genome     comprising the following light chain loci arrangement     -   (a) L at one endogenous kappa chain allele and K at the other         endogenous kappa chain allele; or     -   (b) L at one endogenous lambda chain allele and K at the other         endogenous lambda chain allele; or     -   (c) L at both endogenous kappa chain alleles;     -   (d) L at both endogenous lambda chain alleles;     -   (e) L at one endogenous kappa chain allele and the other         endogenous kappa chain allele has been inactivated; or     -   (f) L at one endogenous lambda chain allele and the other         endogenous lambda chain allele has been inactivated;     -   Wherein     -   L represents a human lambda gene segment insertion of at least         the functional human Vλ and Jλ (optionally also Cλ gene         segments) comprised by a human lambda chain Ig locus from Vλ3-1         to Cλ7 (eg, comprised by a human lambda chain Ig locus from 2-18         to Cλ7); and     -   K represents a human Vκ and Jκ insertion;     -   Wherein in the genome the human gene segments are inserted         upstream of a constant region for expression of light chains         comprising variable regions derived from the recombination of         human V and J gene segments. -   33. The vertebrate or cell according to aspect 32, optionally     wherein the genome comprises arrangement     -   (a) and L at one or both endogenous lambda chain alleles; or     -   (a) and K at one or both endogenous lambda chain alleles; or     -   (a) and L at one endogenous lambda chain allele and K at the         other endogenous lambda chain allele; or     -   (b) and L at one or both endogenous kappa chain alleles; or     -   (b) and K at one or both endogenous kappa chain alleles; or     -   (b) and L at one endogenous kappa chain allele and K at the         other endogenous kappa chain allele; or     -   (c) and K at one or both endogenous lambda chain alleles; or     -   (c) and L at one or both endogenous lambda chain alleles; or     -   (c) and L at one endogenous lambda chain allele and K at the         other endogenous lambda chain allele; or     -   (c) and both endogenous lambda chain alleles have been         inactivated; or     -   (d) and L at one or both endogenous kappa chain alleles; or     -   (d) and K at one or both endogenous kappa chain alleles; or     -   (d) and L at one endogenous kappa chain allele and K at the         other endogenous kappa chain allele; or     -   (d) and both endogenous kappa chain alleles have been         inactivated. -   34. The vertebrate or cell of aspect 32 or 33, optionally wherein     endogenous kappa chain expression is substantially or completely     inactivated. Endogenous kappa chains are kappa light chains     comprising variable regions derived from the recombination of     endogenous (non-human vertebrate) Vκ and Jκ gene segments. -   35. The vertebrate or cell of aspect 32, 33 or 34, optionally     wherein endogenous lambda chain expression is substantially or     completely inactive. Endogenous lambda chains are lambda light     chains comprising variable regions derived from the recombination of     endogenous (non-human vertebrate) Vλ and Jλ gene segments. -   36. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 35,     optionally wherein each L insertion is upsteam of an endogenous     lambda or kappa constant region. -   37. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 36,     optionally wherein each L insertion into a lambda locus is upsteam     of an endogenous lambda constant region. -   38. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 36,     optionally wherein each L insertion into a kappa locus is upsteam of     an endogenous kappa constant region. -   39. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 35,     optionally wherein each L insertion into a lambda locus is upsteam     of a human lambda constant region. -   40. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 35,     optionally wherein each L insertion into a kappa locus is upsteam of     a human kappa constant region. -   41. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 40,     optionally wherein each K insertion is upsteam of an endogenous     lambda or kappa constant region. -   42. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 41,     optionally wherein each K insertion into a lambda locus is upsteam     of an endogenous lambda constant region. -   43. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 42,     optionally wherein each K insertion into a kappa locus is upsteam of     an endogenous kappa constant region. -   44. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 40,     optionally wherein each K insertion into a lambda locus is upsteam     of a human lambda constant region. -   45. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 40 and 44,     optionally wherein each K insertion into a kappa locus is upsteam of     a human kappa constant region. -   46. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 45,     optionally wherein the insertions are according to any one of     aspects 1 to 9, 11 to 16 and 20 to 31. -   47. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 46,     optionally wherein each human lambda insertion is according to any     one of aspects 1 to 9, 11 to 16 and 20 to 31. -   48. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 47,     optionally wherein each human kappa insertion is according to any     one of aspects 1 to 9, 11 to 16 and 20 to 31. -   49. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 48,     optionally wherein each human lambda insertion comprises the     repertoire of human Vλ and Jλ (and optionally Cλ) gene segments. -   50. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 48,     optionally wherein first and second (and optionally third) human     lambda insertions are made and the insertions comprise different     repertoires of human Vλ and Jλ (and optionally Cλ) gene segments. -   51. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 50,     optionally wherein each human kappa insertion comprises the     repertoire of human Vκ and Jκ (and optionally Cκ) gene segments. -   52. The vertebrate or cell of any one of aspects 32 to 50,     optionally wherein first and second (and optionally third) human     kappa insertions are made and the insertions comprise different     repertoires of human Vκ and Jκ (and optionally Cκ) gene segments. -   53. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding aspect, optionally     wherein the genome comprises an immunoglobulin heavy chain locus     comprising human VH gene segments, eg, a heavy chain locus as herein     described which comprises human V, D and J gene segments. -   54. A method for producing an antibody or light chain comprising a     lambda variable region specific to a desired antigen, the method     comprising immunizing a vertebrate according to any preceding aspect     with the desired antigen and recovering the antibody or light chain     or recovering a cell producing the antibody or light chain. -   55. A method for producing a fully humanised antibody or antibody     light chain comprising carrying out the method of aspect 54 to     obtain an antibody or light chain comprising a lambda chain     non-human vertebrate constant region, and replacing the non-human     vertebrate constant region with a human constant region, optionally     by engineering of the nucleic acid encoding the antibody or light     chain. -   56. A humanised antibody or antibody light chain produced according     to aspect 54 or a derivative thereof; optionally for use in     medicine. -   57. Use of a humanised antibody or chain produced according to     aspect 54 or a derivative thereof in medicine. -   58. A method of inactivating endogenous Ig-VJ regions in the genome     of a non-human vertebrate or a non-human vertebrate cell (eg, a     mouse, rat, mouse cell or a rat cell), wherein the method comprises     inserting human immunoglobulin gene segments (eg, V and J gene     segments) in the genome between the endogenous Ig-VJ and an     endogenous enhancer or endogenous constant region to move the     endogenous Ig-VJ away from the enhancer or constant region, thereby     inactivating endogenous Ig-VJ regions.

In one embodiment, the endogenous Ig-VJ are heavy chain gene segments, the enhancer is an endogenous heavy chain enhancer, the constant region is an endogenous heavy chain constant region and the human Ig gene segments comprise human VH, DH and JH gene segments.

In one embodiment, the endogenous Ig-VJ are lambda light chain gene segments, the enhancer is an endogenous lambda chain enhancer, the constant region is an endogenous lambda chain constant region and the human Ig gene segments comprise human Vλ and Jλ gene segments.

In one embodiment, the endogenous Ig-VJ are kappa light chain gene segments, the enhancer is an endogenous kappa chain enhancer, the constant region is an endogenous kappa chain constant region and the human Ig gene segments comprise human Vκ and Jκ gene segments.

A method of inactivating endogenous IgK-VJ regions in the genome of a non-human vertebrate or a non-human vertebrate cell (eg, a mouse, rat, mouse cell or a rat cell), wherein the method comprises inserting human immunoglobulin gene segments in the genome between the endogenous IgK-VJ and Eκ enhancer to move the IgK-VJ away from the Eκ enhancer, thereby inactivating endogenous IgK-VJ regions.

-   59. The method of aspect 58, wherein optionally the human gene     segments comprise human VL and JL gene segments; optionally wherein     the insertion is an insertion as recited in any one of aspects 1 to     9, 11 to 16 and 20 to 31 or an insertion of human Vκ and Jκ gene     segments. -   60. A method of expressing immunoglobulin light chains in a     non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat), the light chains     comprising lambda variable regions (lambda light chains), wherein at     least 80% (for example, at least 70, 75, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97,     98 or 99%) of the variable regions of the lambda light chains     expressed by the vertebrate are derived from recombination of human     Vλ and Jλ gene segments, the method comprising providing in the     genome of the vertebrate an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by     targeted insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more     endogenous Ig loci, the genome comprising human Vλ and Jλ gene     segments upstream of a constant region, wherein the method comprises     inserting at least the functional human Vλ and Jλ (optionally also     human Cλ) gene segments (and optionally inter-gene segment     sequences) comprised by a human lambda chain Ig locus from Vλ2-18 to     Cλ7 into an endogenous light chain locus of the vertebrate, wherein     at least 80% (for example, at least 70, 75, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96,     97, 98 or 99%) of the variable regions of the lambda light chains     expressed by the vertebrate are derived from recombination of human     Vλ and Jλ gene segments; the method comprising expressing said light     chains in the vertebrate and optionally isolating one or more of     said light chains (eg, as part of a 4-chain antibody).

In one embodiment, the method further comprises isolating from the vertebrate a lambda light chain comprising a variable region derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments. In an example, the method comprises immunising the mouse with an antigen (eg, a human antigen) prior to isolating the lambda light chain. In an example, the light chain is part of an antibody, eg, an antibody that specifically binds the antigen.

In one embodiment, the use further comprises isolating splenic tissue (eg, the spleen) from the mouse; optionally followed by isolating at least one antigen-specific B-cell from the tissue, wherein the B-cell(s) expresses said lambda light chain. For example, said lambda light chain is provided by an antibody that specifically binds a predetermined antigen (eg, a human antigen). In one example, the use comprises immunising the mouse with the antigen (eg, a human antigen) prior to isolating the splenic tissue or lambda light chain. In an example, the use comprises isolating the lambda light chain produced by the B-cell (or by a hybridoma produced by fusion of the B-cell with a myeloma cell). In an example, the use comprises making a hybridoma from a B-cell isolated from the splenic tissue, wherein the hybridoma expresses said lambda light chain or a derivative thereof. Optionally, the use comprises making a derivative of the isolated antibody or lambda light chain. Examples of derivative antibodies (according to any aspect herein) are antibodies that have one or more mutations compared to the isolated antibody (eg, to improve antigen-binding affinity and/or to enhance or inactivate Fc function) Such mutants specifically bind the antigen. Mutation or adaptation to produce a derivative includes, eg, mutation to produce Fc enhancement or inactivation. A derivative can be an antibody following conjugation to a toxic payload or reporter or label or other active moiety. In another example, a chimaeric antibody chain or antibody isolated from a cell of vertebrate of the invention is modified by replacing one or all human constant regions thereof by a corresponding human constant region. For example, all constant regions of an antibody isolated from such a cell or vertebrate are replaced with human constant regions to produce a fully human antibody (ie, comprising human variable and constant regions). Such an antibody is useful for administration to human patients to reduce anti-antibody reaction by the patient.

-   61. A method of expressing immunoglobulin light chains in a     non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat), wherein at least 60% (for     example, at least 65, 70, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99%) of     the light chains expressed by the vertebrate are provided by human     lambda light chains, the method comprising providing in the genome     of the vertebrate an Ig gene segment repertoire produced by targeted     insertion of human Ig gene segments into one or more endogenous Ig     loci, the genome comprising (i) human Vλ and Jλ gene segments     upstream of a constant region, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene     segments are provided by inserting at least the functional human Vλ     and Jλ (optionally also human CIS) gene segments (and optionally     inter-gene segment sequences) comprised by a human lambda chain Ig     locus from Vλ2-18 to Cλ7 into an endogenous light chain locus of the     vertebrate and (ii) kappa V gene segments upstream of a constant     region, wherein the vertebrate expresses immunoglobulin light chains     comprising human lambda variable regions (human lambda light chains)     and at least 60% (for example, greater than 65, 70, 80, 84, 85, 90,     95, 96, 97, 98 or 99%) of the light chains expressed by the     vertebrate are provided by said human lambda light chains; the     method comprising expressing said light chains in the vertebrate and     optionally isolating one or more of said light chains (eg, as part     of a 4-chain antibody).

In one embodiment, the method further comprises isolating from the vertebrate a lambda light chain comprising a variable region derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments. In an example, the method comprises immunising the mouse with an antigen (eg, a human antigen) prior to isolating the lambda light chain. In an example, the light chain is part of an antibody, eg, an antibody that specifically binds the antigen.

In one embodiment, the use further comprises isolating splenic tissue (eg, the spleen) from the mouse; optionally followed by isolating at least one antigen-specific B-cell from the tissue, wherein the B-cell(s) expresses said lambda light chain. For example, said lambda light chain is provided by an antibody that specifically binds a predetermined antigen (eg, a human antigen). In one example, the use comprises immunising the mouse with the antigen (eg, a human antigen) prior to isolating the splenic tissue or lambda light chain. In an example, the use comprises isolating the lambda light chain produced by the B-cell (or by a hybridoma produced by fusion of the B-cell with a myeloma cell). In an example, the use comprises making a hybridoma from a B-cell isolated from the splenic tissue, wherein the hybridoma expresses said lambda light chain or a derivative thereof. Optionally, the use comprises making a derivative of the isolated antibody or lambda light chain. Examples of derivative antibodies (according to any aspect herein) are antibodies that have one or more mutations compared to the isolated antibody (eg, to improve antigen-binding affinity and/or to enhance or inactivate Fc function) Such mutants specifically bind the antigen.

-   62. A method of expressing human immunoglobulin VJC light chains in     a non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat), the method comprising     providing in the genome of the vertebrate an Ig gene segment     repertoire produced by targeted insertion of human Ig gene segments     into one or more endogenous Ig loci, wherein the method comprises     inserting at least the functional human Vλ, Jλ and Cλ gene segments     (and optionally inter-gene segment sequences) comprised by a human     lambda chain Ig locus from Vλ3-1 to Cλ7 (eg, comprised by a human     lambda chain Ig locus from 2-18 to Cλ7) into an endogenous non-human     vertebrate kappa light chain locus upstream of an endogenous     non-human vertebrate kappa constant region for expression of a human     VJC light chain; the method comprising expressing said light chains     in the vertebrate and optionally isolating one or more of said light     chains (eg, as part of a 4-chain antibody).

In one embodiment, the method further comprises isolating from the vertebrate a lambda light chain comprising a variable region derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments. In an example, the method comprises immunising the mouse with an antigen (eg, a human antigen) prior to isolating the lambda light chain. In an example, the light chain is part of an antibody, eg, an antibody that specifically binds the antigen.

In one embodiment, the use further comprises isolating splenic tissue (eg, the spleen) from the mouse; optionally followed by isolating at least one antigen-specific B-cell from the tissue, wherein the B-cell(s) expresses said lambda light chain. For example, said lambda light chain is provided by an antibody that specifically binds a predetermined antigen (eg, a human antigen). In one example, the use comprises immunising the mouse with the antigen (eg, a human antigen) prior to isolating the splenic tissue or lambda light chain. In an example, the use comprises isolating the lambda light chain produced by the B-cell (or by a hybridoma produced by fusion of the B-cell with a myeloma cell). In an example, the use comprises making a hybridoma from a B-cell isolated from the splenic tissue, wherein the hybridoma expresses said lambda light chain or a derivative thereof. Optionally, the use comprises making a derivative of the isolated antibody or lambda light chain. Examples of derivative antibodies (according to any aspect herein) are antibodies that have one or more mutations compared to the isolated antibody (eg, to improve antigen-binding affinity and/or to enhance or inactivate Fc function) Such mutants specifically bind the antigen.

-   63. The method of any one of aspects 38 to 40, optionally wherein     the vertebrate is according to any one of the other aspects. -   64. An antibody light chain isolated according to the method of any     one of aspects 58 to 63 or a derivative thereof, or an antibody     comprising such a light chain or derivative; optionally for use in     medicine. -   65. Use of an antibody light chain isolated according to the method     of any one of aspects 58 to 63 or a derivative thereof (or an     antibody comprising such a light chain or derivative) in medicine. -   66. A non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat) according to any one     of aspects 1 to 53 for expressing light chains comprising lambda     variable regions (lambda light chains), wherein at least 70% (for     example, at least 70, 75, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99% or     100%) of the variable regions of the lambda light chains expressed     by the vertebrate are derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ     gene segments.

A non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat) according to any one of aspects 1 to 53 expressing light chains comprising lambda variable regions (lambda light chains), wherein at least 70% (for example, at least 70, 75, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99% or 100%) of the variable regions of the lambda light chains expressed by the vertebrate are derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments.

-   67. A non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat) according to any one     of aspects 1 to 53 for expressing light chains, wherein at least 60%     (for example, greater than 65, 70, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98 or     99% or 100%) of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate are     provided by human lambda light chains.

A non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat) according to any one of aspects 1 to 53 expressing light chains, wherein at least 60% (for example, greater than 65, 70, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99% or 100%) of the light chains expressed by the vertebrate are provided by human lambda light chains.

-   68. A non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat) according to aspect     7 for expressing light chains comprising lambda variable regions     (lambda light chains), wherein expression of lambda light chains     comprising human lambda variable regions dominates over expression     of lambda light chains comprising endogenous non-human vertebrate     lambda variable regions: and optionally for inactivating expression     of endogenous non-human vertebrate lambda variable regions from the     endogenous light chain locus.

A non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat) according to aspect 7 expressing light chains comprising lambda variable regions (lambda light chains), wherein expression of lambda light chains comprising human lambda variable regions dominates over expression of lambda light chains comprising endogenous non-human vertebrate lambda variable regions: and optionally for inactivating expression of endogenous non-human vertebrate lambda variable regions from the endogenous light chain locus.

-   69. A non-human vertebrate (eg, a mouse or rat) according to aspect     7, 8, 9 or 10 for inactivating expression of endogenous non-human     vertebrate lambda variable regions from the endogenous light chain     locus.

The percentage expression or level of expression of antibody chains can be determined at the level of light chain mRNA transcripts in B-cells (eg, peripheral blood lymphocytes). Alternatively or additionally, the percentage expression is determined at the level of antibody light chains in serum or blood of the vertebrates. Additionally or alternatively, the expression can be determined by FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorting) analysis of B cells. For example, by assessing mouse C kappa or human C lambda expression on cell surface when the human lambda variable regions are expressed with mouse C kappa or human C lambda regions respectively.

The term a “lambda light chain” in these aspects refers to a light chain comprising a variable region sequence (at RNA or amino acid level) derived from the recombination of Vλ and Jλ gene segments. Thus a “human lambda variable region”, for example, is a variable region derived from the recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments. The constant region can be a kappa or lambda constant region, eg, a human or mouse constant region.

The vertebrate in these aspects is, for example naïve (ie, not immunised with a predetermined antigen, as the term is understood in the art; for example, such a vertebrate that has been kept in a relatively sterile environment as provided by an animal house used for R&D). In another example, the vertebrate has been immunised with a predetermined antigen, eg, an antigen bearing a human epitope.

Reference to “functional” human gene segments acknowledges that in a human Ig lambda locus some V gene segments are non-functional pseudogenes (eg, Vλ3-17, Vλ3-15, Vλ3-13, Vλ3-7, Vλ3-6, Vλ2-5, Vλ3-4, Vλ3-2; see the IMGT database: at World Wide Web (www) imgt.org/IMGTrepertoire/index.php?section=LocusGenes&repertoire=locus&species=human&group=IGL. Also, Jλ4-Cλ4 and Jλ5-Cλ5 are not functional in humans. The term “functional” when referring to gene segments excludes pseudogenes. An example of functional human Vλ gene segments is the group Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3 and Vλ3-1. An example of functional human Jλ gene segments is the group Jλ1, Jλ2 and Jλ3; or Jλ1, Jλ2 and Jλ7; or Jλ2, Jλ3 and Jλ7; or Jλ1, Jλ2, Jλ3 and Jλ7. An example of functional human Cλ gene segments is the group Cλ1, Cλ2 and Cλ3; or Cλ1, Cλ2 and Cλ7; or Cλ2, Cλ3 and Cλ7; or Cλ1, Cλ2, Cλ3 and Cλ7.

In one embodiment, the lambda light chains, together with heavy chains expressed in the cells or vertebrates of the invention, form antibodies. The heavy chains can be expressed from a transgenic heavy chain locus as herein described. For example the genome of the cell or vertebrate comprises a heavy chain locus in which is a chimaeric immunoglobulin heavy chain locus comprising one or more human V gene segments, one or more human D gene segments and one or more human J gene segments upstream of a mu constant region of said non-human species; endogenous heavy chain expression has been substantially inactivated; and the heavy chain locus comprises an Eμ enhancer of said non-human vertebrate species.

In one embodiment of the vertebrate or cell, all endogenous enhancers are deleted from the endogenous locus in which the human gene segments are inserted. Thus, when a human enhancer (eg, Eλ) is inserted, this controls the transgenic locus in the absence of the effect of other, endogenous, enhancers (for example, kappa enhancers if the locus is an endogenous kappa enhancer). This may be useful to avoid non-human vertebrate-like kappa:lambda expression ratios (eg, to steer expression to a higher ratio of lambda:kappa in mice).

When endogenous light chain (eg, kappa or lambda) expression is substantially inactive or inactivated as described herein, less than 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0.5% of such endogenous light chains are expressed or expressible. In one example, there is complete inactivation so no such light chains are expressed or expressible.

Optionally the vertebrate of the invention is naïve. Thus, the vertebrate has not been immunised with a predetermined antigen.

Where, for example, a cell of the invention is an ES cell or other IPS stem cell or other pluripotent stem cell, the cell can develop into a vertebrate of the invention. For example, the cell can be implanted into a blastocyst from a foster mother and developed into an embryo and animal according to standard techniques.

In one embodiment, where human kappa gene segments are inserted, each insertion comprises human kappa gene segments

-   -   (i) Vκ1-5, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-8 and Vκ1-9 (and optionally Vκ5-2 and         Vκ4-1); or     -   (ii) Vκ1-5, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-9, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-15, Vκ1-16,         Vκ1-17, Vκ3-20 (and optionally Vκ2-24 and/or Vκ1-13); or     -   (iii) Vκ1-5, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-9, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-15,         Vκ1-16, Vκ1-17, Vκ3-20, Vκ2-24, Vκ1-27, Vκ2-28, Vκ2-30 and         Vκ1-33 (and optionally Vκ2-29 and/or Vκ2-40 and/or Vκ1-39);     -   and optionally     -   (iv) Jκ1, Jκ2, Jκ3, Jκ4 and Jκ5.

In one embodiment, the human kappa insertion also comprises a human iEκ and/or human 3′Eκ downstream of the human J gene segments in the locus.

Transgenic Mice of the Invention Expressing Essentially Exclusively Human Heavy Chain Variable Regions Develop Normal Splenic and BM Compartments & Normal Ig Expression In Which the Ig Comprise Human Heavy Chain Variable Regions

The present inventors surprisingly observed normal Ig subtype expression & B-cell development in transgenic mice of the invention expressing antibodies with human heavy chain variable regions substantially in the absence of endogenous heavy and kappa chain expression. See Example 16 below.

The inventors observed that surprisingly the inactivation of endogenous heavy chain variable region expression in the presence of human variable region expression does not change the ratio of B-cells in the splenic compartment (FIG. 66) or bone marrow B progenitor compartment (FIG. 67) and the immunoglobulin levels in serum are normal and the correct Ig subtypes are expressed (FIG. 68). These data demonstrate that inserted human heavy chain gene segments according to the invention (eg, an insertion of at least human V_(H) gene segments V_(H)2-5, 7-4-1, 4-4, 1-3, 1-2, 6-1, and all the human D and J_(H) gene segments D1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 1-7, 2-8, 3-9, 5-12, 6-13, 2-15, 3-16, 4-17, 6-19, 1-20, 2-21, 3-22, 6-25, 1-26 and 7-27; and J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 and J6) are fully functional for VDJ gene segment rearrangement from the transgenic heavy chain locus, B-cell receptor (BCR) signalling and proper B-cell maturation

The invention therefore provides the following aspects (numbering starting at aspect 70):—

-   70. A mouse that expresses or for expressing immunoglobulin heavy     chains comprising human variable regions, wherein the heavy chains     expressed by the mouse are essentially exclusively said heavy chains     comprising human variable regions; and said heavy chains comprising     human variable regions are expressed as part of serum IgG1,IgG2b and     IgM (and optionally IgG2a) antibodies in the mouse;     -   the mouse comprising an immunoglobulin heavy chain locus         comprising human VH, DH and JH gene segments upstream of a mouse         constant region (eg, C-mu and/or C-delta and/or C-gamma; such as         (in a 5′ to 3′ orientation) mouse C-mu and mouse C-delta and         mouse C-gamma), wherein     -   (a) the mouse is capable of expressing immunoglobulin heavy         chains comprising human variable regions and the heavy chains         expressed by the mouse are essentially exclusively said heavy         chains comprising human variable regions; and     -   (b) the mouse expresses serum IgG1,IgG2b and IgM (and optionally         IgG2a) antibodies comprising said heavy chains.

Ig isotypes can be determined, for example, using isotype-matched tool antibodies as will be readily familiar to the skilled person (and as illustrated in Example 16).

In an embodiment, the mouse is naïve.

-   71. The mouse of aspect 70 for expressing a normal relative     proportion of serum IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgM antibodies.     -   By “normal” is meant comparable to expression in a mouse (eg, a         naïve mouse) expressing only mouse antibody chains, eg, a mouse         whose genome comprises only wild-type functional Ig heavy and         light chain loci, eg, a wild-type mouse. -   72. The mouse of aspect 70 or 71, wherein the mouse expresses a     normal relative proportion of serum IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgM     antibodies.

By “normal” is meant comparable to expression in a mouse (eg, a naïve mouse) expressing only mouse antibody chains, eg, a mouse whose genome comprises only wild-type functional Ig heavy and light chain loci, eg, a wild-type mouse.

-   73. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 72, for expressing in the     mouse     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 25-350 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-200 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 30-800 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-300 μg/ml;     -   or     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 10-600 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-500 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 20-700 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-700 μg/ml;     -   as determined by Ig capture on a plate followed by incubation         (eg, for one hour at RT, eg, for one hour at 20° C.) with         anti-mouse isotype-specific labelled antibodies and         quantification of Ig using the label (eg, using anti-mouse Ig         isotype specific antibodies each conjugated to horseradish         peroxidase conjugated at a ratio of 1/10000 in PBS with 0.1%         Tween™, followed by development of the label with         tetramethylbenzidine substrate (TMB) for 4-5 minutes in the dark         at room temperature (eg, 20° C.), adding sulfuric acid to stop         development of the label and reading of the label at 450 nm).

For example, the mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 72, for expressing in the mouse

-   -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 25-150 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-200 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 30-300 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-200 μg/ml;     -   or     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 10-200 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-500 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 20-400 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-700 μg/ml;     -   as determined by Ig capture on a plate followed by incubation         (eg, for one hour at RT, eg, for one hour at 20° C.) with         anti-mouse isotype-specific labelled antibodies and         quantification of Ig using the label (eg, using anti-mouse Ig         isotype specific antibodies each conjugated to horseradish         peroxidase conjugated at a ratio of 1/10000 in PBS with 0.1%         Tween™, followed by development of the label with         tetramethylbenzidine substrate (TMB) for 4-5 minutes in the dark         at room temperature (eg, 20° C.), adding sulfuric acid to stop         development of the label and reading of the label at 450 nm).

The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 72, for expressing in the mouse Ig in the relative proportions of

-   -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 25-350 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-200 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 30-800 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-300 μg/ml;     -   or     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 10-600 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-500 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 20-700 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-700 μg/ml;     -   as determined by Ig capture on a plate followed by incubation         (eg, for one hour at RT, eg, for one hour at 20° C.) with         anti-mouse isotype-specific labelled antibodies and         quantification of Ig using the label (eg, using anti-mouse Ig         isotype specific antibodies each conjugated to horseradish         peroxidase conjugated at a ratio of 1/10000 in PBS with 0.1%         Tween™, followed by development of the label with         tetramethylbenzidine substrate (TMB) for 4-5 minutes in the dark         at room temperature (eg, 20° C.), adding sulfuric acid to stop         development of the label and reading of the label at 450 nm).

For example, the mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 72, for expressing in the mouse Ig in the relative proportions of

-   -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 25-150 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-200 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 30-300 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-200 μg/ml;     -   or     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 10-200 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-500 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 20-400 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-700 μg/ml;     -   as determined by Ig capture on a plate followed by incubation         (eg, for one hour at RT, eg, for one hour at 20° C.) with         anti-mouse isotype-specific labelled antibodies and         quantification of Ig using the label (eg, using anti-mouse Ig         isotype specific antibodies each conjugated to horseradish         peroxidase conjugated at a ratio of 1/10000 in PBS with 0.1%         Tween™, followed by development of the label with         tetramethylbenzidine substrate (TMB) for 4-5 minutes in the dark         at room temperature (eg, 20° C.), adding sulfuric acid to stop         development of the label and reading of the label at 450 nm).

-   74. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 73, wherein the mouse     expresses     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 25-350 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-200 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 30-800 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-300 μg/ml;     -   or     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 10-600 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-500 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 20-700 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-700 μg/ml;     -   as determined by Ig capture on a plate followed by incubation         (eg, for one hour at RT, eg, for one hour at 20° C.) with         anti-mouse isotype-specific labelled antibodies and         quantification of Ig using the label (eg, using anti-mouse Ig         isotype specific antibodies each conjugated to horseradish         peroxidase conjugated at a ratio of 1/10000 in PBS with 0.1%         Tween™, followed by development of the label with         tetramethylbenzidine substrate (TMB) for 4-5 minutes in the dark         at room temperature (eg, 20° C.), adding sulfuric acid to stop         development of the label and reading of the label at 450 nm).

For example, the mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 72, the mouse expresses

-   -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 25-150 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-200 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 30-300 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-200 μg/ml;     -   or     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 10-200 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-500 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 20-400 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-700 μg/ml;     -   as determined by Ig capture on a plate followed by incubation         (eg, for one hour at RT, eg, for one hour at 20° C.) with         anti-mouse isotype-specific labelled antibodies and         quantification of Ig using the label (eg, using anti-mouse Ig         isotype specific antibodies each conjugated to horseradish         peroxidase conjugated at a ratio of 1/10000 in PBS with 0.1%         Tween™, followed by development of the label with         tetramethylbenzidine substrate (TMB) for 4-5 minutes in the dark         at room temperature (eg, 20° C.), adding sulfuric acid to stop         development of the label and reading of the label at 450 nm).

The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 73, wherein the mouse expresses Ig in the relative proportions of

-   -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 25-350 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-200 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 30-800 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-300 μg/ml;     -   or     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 10-600 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-500 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 20-700 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-700 μg/ml;     -   as determined by Ig capture on a plate followed by incubation         (eg, for one hour at RT, eg, for one hour at 20° C.) with         anti-mouse isotype-specific labelled antibodies and         quantification of Ig using the label (eg, using anti-mouse Ig         isotype specific antibodies each conjugated to horseradish         peroxidase conjugated at a ratio of 1/10000 in PBS with 0.1%         Tween™, followed by development of the label with         tetramethylbenzidine substrate (TMB) for 4-5 minutes in the dark         at room temperature (eg, 20° C.), adding sulfuric acid to stop         development of the label and reading of the label at 450 nm).

For example, the mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 72, the mouse expresses Ig in the relative proportions of

-   -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 25-150 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-200 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 30-300 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-200 μg/ml;     -   or     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 10-200 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-500 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 20-400 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-700 μg/ml;     -   as determined by Ig capture on a plate followed by incubation         (eg, for one hour at RT, eg, for one hour at 20° C.) with         anti-mouse isotype-specific labelled antibodies and         quantification of Ig using the label (eg, using anti-mouse Ig         isotype specific antibodies each conjugated to horseradish         peroxidase conjugated at a ratio of 1/10000 in PBS with 0.1%         Tween™, followed by development of the label with         tetramethylbenzidine substrate (TMB) for 4-5 minutes in the dark         at room temperature (eg, 20° C.), adding sulfuric acid to stop         development of the label and reading of the label at 450 nm).

-   75. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 74 for expressing said     heavy chains from splenic B-cells in a mouse that produces a normal     proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells, eg as determined     by FACS.

By “normal” is meant comparable to mature splenic B-cell production in a mouse (eg, a naïve mouse) expressing only mouse antibody chains, eg, a mouse whose genome comprises only wild-type functional Ig heavy and light chain loci, eg, a wild-type mouse.

For example, at least 40, 50, 60 or 70% of total splenic B-cells produced by the mouse of the invention are mature B-cells. Splenic B-cells are B220⁺ and express B220 at relatively high levels as the skilled person will know. Mature splenic B-cells express B220 and IgD, both at relatively high levels as will be known by the skilled person. IgM expression is relatively low in mature splenic B-cells, again as is known in the art. For example, see J Exp Med. 1999 Jul. 5; 190(1):75-89; “B cell development in the spleen takes place in discrete steps and is determined by the quality of B cell receptor-derived signals”; Loder F et al.

Optionally the mouse produces a normal ratio of T1, T2 and mature splenic B-cells, eg, as determined by FACS. For example, the mouse of the invention produces about 40-70% mature splenic B-cells, 15-35% splenic T1 cells; and 5-10% splenic T2 cells (percentage with reference to the total splenic B220-positive (high) population). For example, about 40-60% mature splenic B-cells, 15-30% splenic T1 cells; and 5-10% splenic T2 cells. By “normal” is meant comparable to a T1/T2/mature splenic B-cell proportion in a mouse (eg, a naïve mouse) expressing only mouse antibody chains, eg, a mouse whose genome comprises only wild-type functional Ig heavy and light chain loci, eg, a wild-type mouse.

-   76. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 75, wherein the mouse     produces a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic     B-cells, eg as determined by FACS. -   77. A mouse that expresses or for expressing immunoglobulin heavy     chains comprising human variable regions, wherein the heavy chains     expressed by the mouse are essentially exclusively said heavy chains     comprising human variable regions and are expressed in a mouse that     produces a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells     (eg, as determined by FACS); the mouse comprising an immunoglobulin     heavy chain locus comprising human VH, DH and JH gene segments     upstream of a mouse constant region (eg, C-mu and/or C-delta and/or     C-gamma; such as (in a 5′ to 3′ orientation) and wherein the mouse     produces a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic     B-cells. By “normal” is meant comparable to mature splenic B-cell     production in a mouse (eg, a naïve mouse) expressing only mouse     antibody chains, eg, a mouse whose genome comprises only wild-type     functional Ig heavy and light chain loci, eg, a wild-type mouse.

For example, at least 40, 50, 60 or 70% of total splenic B-cells produced by the mouse of the invention are mature B-cells. Splenic B-cells are B220⁺ and express B220 at relatively high levels as the skilled person will know. Mature splenic B-cells express B220 and IgD, both at relatively high levels as will be known by the skilled person. IgM expression is relatively low in mature splenic B-cells, again as is known in the art. For example, see J Exp Med. 1999 Jul. 5; 190(1):75-89; “B cell development in the spleen takes place in discrete steps and is determined by the quality of B cell receptor-derived signals”; Loder F et al.

Optionally the mouse produces a normal ratio of T1, T2 and mature splenic B-cells, eg, as determined by FACS. For example, the mouse of the invention produces about 40-70% mature splenic B-cells, 15-35% splenic T1 cells; and 5-10% splenic T2 cells (percentage with reference to the total splenic B220-positive (high) population). For example, about 40-60% mature splenic B-cells, 15-30% splenic T1 cells; and 5-10% splenic T2 cells. By “normal” is meant comparable to a T1/T2/mature splenic B-cell proportion in a mouse (eg, a naïve mouse) expressing only mouse antibody chains, eg, a mouse whose genome comprises only wild-type functional Ig heavy and light chain loci, eg, a wild-type mouse.

-   78. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 77 for expressing said     heavy chains in a mouse that produces a normal proportion or     percentage of bone marrow B-cell progenitor cells (eg as determined     by FACS).

In one embodiment, the mouse is for expressing said heavy chains in a mouse that produces a normal proportion or percentage of bone marrow pre-, pro and prepro-B-cells (eg as determined by FACS). See J Exp Med. 1991 May 1; 173(5):1213-25; “Resolution and characterization of pro-B and pre-pro-B cell stages in normal mouse bone marrow”; Hardy R R et al for more discussion on progenitor cells.

By “normal” is meant comparable to bone marrow B-cell production in a mouse (eg, a naïve mouse) expressing only mouse antibody chains, eg, a mouse whose genome comprises only wild-type functional Ig heavy and light chain loci, eg, a wild-type mouse.

-   79. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 78, wherein the mouse     produces a normal proportion or percentage of bone marrow B-cell     progenitor cells (eg, as determined by FACS).

In one embodiment, the mouse produces a normal proportion or percentage of bone marrow pre-, pro and prepro-B-cells (eg as determined by FACS).

By “normal” is meant comparable to bone marrow B-cell production in a mouse (eg, a naïve mouse) expressing only mouse antibody chains, eg, a mouse whose genome comprises only wild-type functional Ig heavy and light chain loci, eg, a wild-type mouse.

-   80. A mouse that expresses or for expressing immunoglobulin heavy     chains comprising human variable regions, wherein the heavy chains     expressed by the mouse are essentially exclusively said heavy chains     comprising human variable regions and are expressed in a mouse that     produces a normal proportion or percentage of bone marrow B-cell     progenitor cells (eg, as determined by FACS), the mouse comprising     an immunoglobulin heavy chain locus comprising human VH, DH and JH     gene segments upstream of a mouse constant region (eg, C-mu and/or     C-delta and/or C-gamma; such as (in a 5′ to 3′ orientation) and     wherein the mouse produces a normal proportion or percentage of bone     marrow B-cell progenitor cells.

In one embodiment, the mouse is for expressing said heavy chains in a mouse that produces a normal proportion or percentage of bone marrow pre-, pro and prepro-B-cells (eg as determined by FACS).

By “normal” is meant comparable to bone marrow B-cell production in a mouse (eg, a naïve mouse) expressing only mouse antibody chains, eg, a mouse whose genome comprises only wild-type functional Ig heavy and light chain loci, eg, a wild-type mouse.

-   81. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 80, wherein at least 90%     of the heavy chains are heavy chains comprising human variable     regions.

For example, at least 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 99.5% or 100% of the heavy chains comprise human variable regions, ie, variable regions derived from the recombination of human VH with human D and JH gene segments.

-   82. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 81, wherein the mouse     constant region comprises a mouse C-mu region, a C-delta region and     a C-gamma region.

In one embodiment, each of the C regions is an endogenous, mouse C-region. In one embodiment at least the C-mu and the C-delta regions are mouse C regions. This is useful for harnessing the endogenous control mechanisms involved in the development of the various B-cell types and progenitors in the spleen and bone marrow.

In one embodiment, the C-gamma region is a human C-gamma region. This is beneficial for producing class-switched gamma-type heavy chains in the mouse in which essentially all of the expressed heavy chains have human variable regions and human constant regions.

-   83. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 82, wherein there is a     mouse heavy chain enhancer between the human gene segments and the     mouse constant region. This is useful for harnessing the endogenous     mouse antibody- and B-cell development control mechanisms. -   84. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 83, wherein there is a     mouse S-mu switch between the human gene segments and the mouse     constant region. -   85. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 84, wherein the genome of     the mouse comprises endogenous mouse heavy chain locus V, D and J     gene segments upstream of the human gene segments. -   86. The mouse of aspect 85, wherein the mouse V, D and J gene     segments are present together with the endogenous inter-gene segment     sequences. -   87. The mouse of aspect 85 or 86, wherein the mouse gene segments     are in inverted orientation. Thus, they are inverted with respect to     the wild-type orientation in a mouse genome. They are thus inverted     relative to the orientation of the mouse constant region. -   88. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 87, wherein the mouse     expresses light chains comprising human variable regions (eg, kappa     light chains comprising human kappa variable regions). Thus, the     human variable regions are derived from the recombination of human     VL and JL gene segments, eg, human Vκ and human Jκ. -   89. The mouse of aspect 88, comprising human Vκ and Jκ gene segments     upstream of a mouse CL (eg, endogenous Cκ); optionally wherein the     human Vκ and Jκ gene segments comprise Vκ2-24, Vκ3-20, Vκ1-17,     Vκ1-16, Vκ3-15, Vκ1-13, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-9, Vκ1- 8, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-5,     Vκ5-2, Vκ4-1, Jκ1, Jκ2, Jκ3, Jκ4 and Jκ5. -   90. The mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 89, wherein the human VH,     DH and JH gene segments comprise human V_(H) gene segments V_(H)2-5,     7-4-1, 4-4, 1-3, 1-2, 6-1, and all the human D and J_(H) gene     segments D1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 1-7, 2-8, 3-9, 5-12, 6-13,     2-15, 3-16, 4-17, 6-19, 1-20, 2-21, 3-22, 6-25, 1-26 and 7-27; and     J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 and J6. For example, the human VH, DH and JH gene     segments comprise human V_(H) gene segments V_(H)2-5, 7-4-1, 4-4,     1-3, 1-2, 6-1, and all the human D and J_(H) gene segments D1-1,     2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 1-7, 2-8, 3-9, 3-10, 4-11, 5-12, 6-13,     1-14, 2-15, 3-16, 4-17, 5-18, 6-19, 1-20, 2-21, 3-22, 4-23, 5-24,     6-25, 1-26 and 7-27; and J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 and J6. -   91. Use of the mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 90 for expressing     immunoglobulin heavy chains comprising human variable regions,     wherein the heavy chains expressed by the mouse are essentially     exclusively said heavy chains comprising human variable regions; and     said heavy chains comprising human variable regions are expressed as     part of serum IgG1,IgG2b and IgM (and optionally IgG2a) antibodies     in the mouse. The use is non-therapeutic, non-diagnostic and     non-surgical use.

In one embodiment, the use comprises immunising the mouse with an antigen (eg, a human antigen) and isolating an IgG1 antibody that specifically binds the antigen.

In one embodiment, the use comprises immunising the mouse with an antigen (eg, a human antigen) and isolating an IgG2a antibody that specifically binds the antigen.

In one embodiment, the use comprises immunising the mouse with an antigen (eg, a human antigen) and isolating an IgG2b antibody that specifically binds the antigen.

-   -   Optionally, the use comprises making a derivative of the         isolated antibody. Examples of derivative antibodies (according         to any aspect herein) are antibodies that have one or more         mutations compared to the isolated antibody (eg, to improve         antigen-binding affinity and/or to enhance or inactivate Fc         function) Such mutants specifically bind the antigen.

-   92. Use of the mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 90 for expressing     immunoglobulin heavy chains comprising human variable regions,     wherein the heavy chains expressed by the mouse are essentially     exclusively said heavy chains comprising human variable regions and     are expressed in a mouse that produces a normal proportion or     percentage of mature splenic B-cells. The use is non-therapeutic,     non-diagnostic and non-surgical use.

In one embodiment, the use further comprises isolating splenic tissue (eg, the spleen) from the mouse; optionally followed by isolating at least one antigen-specific B-cell from the tissue, wherein the B-cell(s) expresses an antibody that specifically binds a predetermined antigen. In one example, the use comprises immunising the mouse with the antigen prior to isolating the splenic tissue. In an example, the use comprises isolating an antibody produced by the B-cell (or by a hybridoma produced by fusion of the B-cell with a myeloma cell). Optionally, the use comprises making a derivative of the isolated antibody. Examples of derivative antibodies (according to any aspect herein) are antibodies that have one or more mutations compared to the isolated antibody (eg, to improve antigen-binding affinity and/or to enhance or inactivate Fc function) Such mutants specifically bind the antigen.

-   -   93. Use of the mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 90 for         expressing immunoglobulin heavy chains comprising human variable         regions, wherein the heavy chains expressed by the mouse are         essentially exclusively said heavy chains comprising human         variable regions and are expressed in a mouse that produces a         normal proportion or percentage of bone marrow B-cell progenitor         cells. The use is non-therapeutic, non-diagnostic and         non-surgical use.

94. Use of the mouse of any one of aspects 70 to 90 for the purpose stated in one or more of aspects 70, 71, 73, 75 and 78.

The expression (eg, percentage expression or expression proportion or level) of Ig can be determined at the level of antibody chain mRNA transcripts in B-cells (eg, peripheral blood lymphocytes). Alternatively or additionally, the percentage expression is determined at the level of antibody in serum or blood of the vertebrates. Additionally or alternatively, the expression can be determined by FACS analysis of B cells.

In these aspects, “heavy chains comprising human variable regions” means variable regions derived from the recombination of human VH, D and JH gene segments.

“Essentially exclusively” the expressed heavy chains comprise human variable regions, ie, there is only a relatively very low or even no endogenous mouse heavy chain variable region expression. For example, at least 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 99.5% or 100% of the heavy chains are heavy chains comprising human variable regions. In one embodiment, at least 90% of the heavy chains are heavy chains comprising human variable regions. The percentage expression can be determined at the level of heavy chain mRNA transcripts in B-cells (eg, peripheral blood lymphocytes). Alternatively or additionally, the percentage expression is determined at the level of heavy chains or antibodies in serum or blood of the mice. Additionally or alternatively, the expression can be determined by FACS analysis of B-cells.

The mouse can comprise any endogenous heavy chain locus in which human V, D and J gene segments are present, as described herein. In one example, the mouse genome comprises a mouse heavy chain locus in which at least human V_(H) gene segments V_(H)2-5, 7-4-1, 4-4, 1-3, 1-2, 6-1, and all the human D and J_(H) gene segments D1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 1-7, 2-8, 3-9, 5-12, 6-13, 2-15, 3-16, 4-17, 6-19, 1-20, 2-21, 3-22, 6-25, 1-26 and 7-27; and J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 and J6 are upstream of the mouse constant region.

The vertebrate in these aspects is, for example naïve (ie, not immunised with a predetermined antigen, as the term is understood in the art; for example, such a vertebrate that has been kept in a relatively sterile environment as provided by an animal house used for R&D). In another example, the vertebrate has been immunised with a predetermined antigen, eg, an antigen bearing a human epitope.

In one embodiment, the heavy chains, together with light chains expressed in the mice of the invention, form antibodies (Ig). The light chains can be expressed from any transgenic light chain locus as herein described. For example the genome of the mouse comprises a heavy chain locus in which is a chimaeric immunoglobulin heavy chain locus comprising one or more human V gene segments, one or more human D gene segments and one or more human J gene segments upstream of a mu constant region of said non-human species; endogenous heavy chain expression has been substantially inactivated; and the heavy chain locus comprises an Eμ enhancer of said non-human vertebrate species.

In one embodiment of any aspect, endogenous light chain (eg, kappa and/or lambda) expression is substantially inactive or inactivated, for example using method as described herein. In this case, less than 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0.5% of such endogenous lambda light chains are expressed or expressible. Additionally or alternatively, less than 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0.5% of such endogenous kappa light chains are expressed or expressible. In one example, there is complete inactivation of endogenous kappa and/or lambda expression so no such light chains are expressed or expressible.

In one embodiment, the genome of the mouse comprises human kappa gene segments

-   -   (i) Vκ1-5, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-8 and Vκ1-9 (and optionally Vκ5-2 and         Vκ4-1); or     -   (ii) Vκ1-5, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-9, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-15, Vκ1-16,         Vκ1-17, Vκ3-20 (and optionally Vκ2-24 and/or Vκ1-13); or     -   (iii) Vκ1-5, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-9, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-15,         Vκ1-16, Vκ1-17, Vκ3-20, Vκ2-24, Vκ1-27, Vκ2-28, Vκ2-30 and         Vκ1-33 (and optionally Vκ2-29 and/or Vκ2-40 and/or Vκ1-39);     -   and optionally     -   (iv) Jκ1, Jκ2, Jκ3, Jκ4 and Jκ5.

In one embodiment, the genome also comprises (i) at least human V_(H) gene segments V_(H)2-5, 7-4-1, 4-4, 1-3, 1-2, 6-1, and all the human D and J_(H) gene segments D1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 1-7, 2-8, 3-9, 5-12, 6-13, 2-15, 3-16, 4-17, 6-19, 1-20, 2-21, 3-22, 6-25, 1-26 and 7-27; and J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 and J6 and (ii) at least human gene segments Vκ2-24, Vκ3-20, Vκ1-17, Vκ1-16, Vκ3-15, Vκ1-13, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-9, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-5, Vκ5-2, Vκ4-1, Jκ1, Jκ2, Jκ3, Jκ4 and Jκ5. As demonstrated in Example 16, such mice are fully functional in the aspect of rearrangement, BCR signalling and B cell maturation. Greater than 90% of the antibodies expressed by the mice comprised human heavy chain variable regions and human kappa light chain variable regions. These mice are, therefore, very useful for the selection of antibodies having human variable regions that specifically bind human antigen following immunisation of the mice with such antigen. Following isolation of such an antibody, the skilled person can replace the mouse constant regions with human constant regions using conventional techniques to arrive at totally human antibodies which are useful as drug candidates for administration to humans (optionally following mutation or adaptation to produce a further derivative, eg, with Fc enhancement or inactivation or following conjugation to a toxic payload or reporter or label or other active moiety).

In one embodiment, the genome also comprises a human iEκ and/or human 3′Eκ downstream of the human J gene segments in the locus.

The invention also includes the following clauses:

Clause 1. A mouse that expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains containing human variable regions,

-   -   wherein the mouse comprises a genome that includes an         immunoglobulin heavy chain locus comprising human VH, DH, and JH         gene segments positioned upstream to a mouse constant region;     -   wherein the mouse expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains,         characterized in that at least 90% of the immunoglobulin heavy         chains expressed by the mouse comprise a human variable region;         and     -   wherein the mouse expresses serum IgG1, IgG2b, and IgM         antibodies comprising said heavy chains containing a human         variable region.

Clause 2. A mouse that expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains containing human variable regions,

-   -   wherein the mouse comprises a genome that includes an         immunoglobulin heavy chain locus comprising human VH, DH, and JH         gene segments which are positioned upstream to a mouse constant         region;     -   wherein the mouse expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains,         characterized in that at least 90% of the immunoglobulin heavy         chains expressed by the mouse comprise a human variable region;         and     -   wherein the mouse produces a normal proportion of mature splenic         B-cells;     -   wherein said normal proportion is a proportion of mature splenic         B-cells produced by a mouse that expresses immunoglobulin heavy         chains containing mouse variable regions and does not express         immunoglobulin heavy chains containing human variable regions.

Clause 3. A mouse that expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains containing human variable regions,

-   -   wherein the mouse comprises a genome that includes an         immunoglobulin heavy chain locus comprising human VH, DH, and JH         gene segments which are positioned upstream to a mouse constant         region;     -   wherein the mouse expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains,         characterized in that it at least 90% of the immunoglobulin         heavy chains expressed by the mouse comprise a human variable         region; and     -   wherein the mouse produces a normal proportion of bone marrow         B-cell progenitor cells;     -   wherein the normal proportion is a proportion of bone marrow         B-cell progenitor cells produced by a mouse that expresses         immunoglobulin heavy chains containing mouse variable regions         and does not expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains containing         human variable regions.

Clause 4. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mouse expresses a normal proportion of IgG1, IgG2b, and IgM in a sample of serum obtained from the mouse;

-   -   wherein the normal proportion is as produced by a mouse that         expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains containing mouse variable         regions and does not expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains         containing human variable regions.

Clause 5. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mouse constant region is C-mu, C-delta, and/or C-gamma.

Clause 6. The mouse of clause 5, wherein the mouse constant region is at least C-mu, C-delta and C-gamma.

Clause 7. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mouse constant region is an endogenous mouse C-region.

Clause 8. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mouse expresses a human C-gamma region.

Clause 9. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mouse is a naïve mouse.

Clause 10. The mouse of clause 1, wherein the mouse expresses serum IgG2a comprising said heavy chains containing a human variable region.

Clause 11. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mouse expresses Ig subtypes in a relative proportion of

-   -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 25-350 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-200 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 30-800 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-300 μg/ml;     -   Or     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 10-600 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-500 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 20-700 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-700 μg/ml;     -   as determined by immunoglobulin capture on a plate followed by         incubation with an anti-mouse isotype-specific antibodies each         comprising a label and quantification of each immunoglobulin         based on the level of each label.

Clause 12. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mouse expresses Ig subtypes in a relative proportion of

-   -   (i) total serum IgG and IgM at a concentration of about 200-2500         μg/ml; and     -   (ii) serum IgM at a concentration of about 100-800 μg/ml;     -   as determined by immunoglobulin capture on a plate followed by         incubation with an anti-mouse isotype-specific antibodies each         comprising a label and quantification of each immunoglobulin         based on the level of each label.

Clause 13. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mouse expresses said immunoglobulin heavy chains from splenic B-cells and wherein the mouse produces a normal proportion of mature splenic B-cells in total spleen cells comprising mature B-cells, and splenic T1 and T2 cells.

Clause 14. The mouse of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein, at least 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 99.5% of the immunoglobulin heavy chains expressed by the mouse are immunoglobulin heavy chains comprising human variable regions.

Clause 15. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein a mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer is positioned in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus between the human VH, DH, and JH gene segments and the mouse constant region.

Clause 16. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein a mouse S-mu switch is positioned in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus between the human VH, DH, and JH gene segments and the mouse constant region.

Clause 17. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein endogenous mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain V, D and J gene segments are positioned in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus upstream to the human VH, DH, and JH gene segments.

Clause 18. The mouse of clause 17, wherein the mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain V, D and J gene segments are present in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus with endogenous inter-gene segment sequences.

Clause 19. The mouse of clause 17 or 18, wherein the mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain V, D and J gene segments are positioned in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus in an orientation that is inverted relative to its natural endogenous orientation.

Clause 20. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mouse expresses light chains containing human kappa variable regions.

Clause 21. The mouse of clause 20, wherein the mouse expresses immunoglobulin light chains derived from recombination of Vκ with human Jκ.

Clause 22. The mouse of any of the preceding clauses, wherein the mouse expresses light chains containing human lambda variable regions.

Clause 23. The mouse of clause 22, wherein the mouse expresses immunoglobulin light chains derived from recombination of Vλ with human Jλ.

Clause 24. The mouse of clause 21, comprising a genome that includes human Vκ and Jκ gene segments positioned in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus upstream to a mouse CL.

Clause 25. The mouse of clause 24, wherein the mouse CL is an endogenous Cκ.

Clause 26. The mouse of clauses 24 or 25, wherein the human Vκ and Jκ gene segments comprise Vκ2-24, Vκ3-20, Vκ1-17, Vκ1-16, Vκ3-15, Vκ1-13, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-9, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-5, Vκ5-2, Vκ4-1, Jκ1, Jκ2, Jκ3, Jκ4 and Jκ5.

Clause 27. The mouse of any the preceding clauses, wherein the human VH, DH and JH gene segments contain

-   -   human VH gene segments: VH2-5, 7-4-1, 4-4, 1-3, 1-2, 6-1;     -   human DH gene segments: D1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 1-7, 2-8,         3-9, 5-12, 6-13, 2-15, 3-16, 4-17, 6-19, 1-20, 2-21, 3-22, 6-25,         1-26 and 7-27; and     -   human JH gene segments: J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 and J6.

Clause 28. A method for obtaining one or more immunoglobulin heavy chains containing human variable regions, comprising providing the mouse of any of the preceding clauses and isolating one or more immunoglobulin heavy chains.

Clause 29. The method of clause 28, wherein each immunoglobulin heavy chain is included in an antibody.

Clause 30. The method of clause 29, wherein said heavy chain and/or said antibody containing said heavy chain is modified after said isolating.

Clause 31. The method of clause 28, wherein a step of immunizing the mouse with an antigen is performed before the step of isolating the immunoglobulin heavy chains.

Clause 31a. The method of clause 30, wherein the antigen is a human antigen.

Clause 32. The method of clause 30, 31, or 31a, wherein the immunoglobulin heavy chains are included in an IgG1 antibody, antibody fragment, or antibody derivative that specifically binds the antigen.

Clause 33. The method of clause 30, 31, or 31a, wherein the immunoglobulin heavy chains are included in an IgG2a antibody, antibody fragment, or antibody derivative that specifically binds the antigen.

Clause 34. The method of clause 30, 31, or 31a, wherein the immunoglobulin heavy chains are included in an IgG2b antibody, antibody fragment, or antibody derivative that specifically binds the antigen.

Clause 35. The method of clause 30, 31, or 31a, wherein the immunoglobulin heavy chains are included in an IgM antibody, antibody fragment, or antibody derivative that specifically binds the antigen.

Clause 36. An antibody or immunoglobulin heavy chain isolated in the method of any one of clauses 28 to 35, or a antigen-binding fragment or derivative of the antibody or heavy chain.

Clause 37. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody, antibody fragment, or antibody derivative of clause 36 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent.

Clause 38. A method for isolating splenic tissue comprising providing the mouse of 1 to 27,

-   -   collecting a spleen or portion thereof from the mouse, and     -   obtaining tissue from the spleen or portion.

Clause 39. The method of clause 38, further comprising isolating at least one antigen-specific B-cell from the splenic tissue, wherein the B-cell expresses a heavy chain containing a human variable region.

Clause 40. The method of clause 38 or 39, wherein a step of immunizing the mouse with an antigen is performed before the step of collecting a spleen from the mouse.

Clause 41. The method of clause 40, wherein the antigen is a human antigen.

Clause 42. The method of clause 40 or 41 wherein the at least one antigen-specific B-cell produces an IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b or IgM antibody comprising said heavy chain, wherein the antibody specifically binds the antigen.

Clause 43. The method of clauses 38 to 42, wherein the at least one antigen-specific B-cell that produces said heavy chain is fused with an immortal myeloma cell to produce a hybridoma cell.

Clause 44. The method of clauses 38 to 43, further comprising a step of isolating an immunoglobulin heavy chain from the B-cell or the hybridoma cell.

Clause 45. An antibody or immunoglobulin heavy chain isolated in the method of clause 44, or a antigen-binding fragment or derivative of the antibody or heavy chain.

Clause 46. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody, antibody fragment, or antibody derivative of clause 45 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent.

Clause 47. A method for obtaining a humanised antibody, comprising

-   -   selecting a mouse that expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains         containing human variable regions,     -   wherein the mouse comprises a genome that includes an         immunoglobulin heavy chain locus comprising human VH, DH, and JH         gene segments positioned upstream to a mouse constant region,     -   wherein the mouse expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains,         characterized in that at least 90% of the immunoglobulin heavy         chains expressed by the mouse are immunoglobulin heavy chains         containing a human variable region,     -   wherein the mouse expresses serum IgG1, IgG2b, and IgM         antibodies comprising said heavy chains containing a human         variable region,     -   wherein the mouse produces a normal proportion of mature splenic         B-cells,     -   wherein the mouse produces a normal proportion of bone marrow         B-cell progenitor cells, and     -   wherein the mouse expresses a normal proportion of IgG1, IgG2a,         IgG2b, and IgM in a sample of serum obtained from the mouse, and     -   wherein each said normal proportion is a proportion produced by         a mouse that expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains containing         mouse variable regions and does not expresses immunoglobulin         heavy chains containing human variable regions;

collecting serum from said mouse; and

obtaining a pool of humanised antibodies comprising IgG1, IgG2b, and IgM antibodies from the serum.

Clause 48. The method of clause 47, comprising a step of immunizing the mouse with an antigen before the step of collecting serum from said mouse.

Clause 49. The method of clause 48, further comprising steps of

-   -   contacting said pool of humanised antibodies with said antigen;     -   binding said antigen with a humanised antibody in said pool of         humanised antibodies; and     -   isolating the humanised antibody that binds to said antigen.

Clause 50. The method of clause 49, further comprising steps of

-   -   contacting the humanised antibody that binds to said antigen         with an isotype-specific antibody, wherein the isotype-specific         antibody recognizes IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, or IgM; and     -   isolating the humanised antibody that binds to said         isotype-specific antibody.

Clause 51. The method of clause 48, further comprising the steps of

-   -   collecting the spleen or tissue thereof from said mouse,     -   isolating B-cells from splenic tissue,     -   fusing said B-cells with immortal myeloma cells to produce         hybridoma cells expressing a pool of humanised antibodies         comprising IgG antibodies from the serum, wherein the pool of         antibodies is used in the method of clause 48.

Clause 52. The method of any of clauses 47-51, wherein said selected mouse comprises mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain V, D and J gene segments which are positioned in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus in an orientation that is inverted relative to its natural endogenous orientation.

Clause 53. The method of any of clauses 47-52 wherein the mouse expresses Ig subtypes in a relative proportion of

-   -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 25-350 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-200 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 30-800 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-300 μg/ml;     -   Or     -   (i) serum IgG1 at a concentration of about 10-600 μg/ml;     -   (ii) serum IgG2a at a concentration of about 0-500 μg/ml;     -   (iii) serum IgG2b at a concentration of about 20-700 μg/ml; and     -   (iv) serum IgM at a concentration of about 50-700 μg/ml;

as determined by immunoglobulin capture on a plate followed by incubation with an anti-mouse isotype-specific antibodies each comprising a label and quantification of each immunoglobulin based on the level of each label.

Clause 54. The method of any one of clauses 47 to 53, wherein, at least 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 99.5% of the immunoglobulin heavy chains expressed by the mouse are immunoglobulin heavy chains comprising human variable regions.

Clause 55. The method of any clauses 47-54, wherein a mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain enhancer is positioned in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus between the human VH, DH, and JH gene segments and the mouse constant region.

Clause 56. The method of any of clauses 47-55, wherein a mouse S-mu switch is positioned in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus between the human VH, DH, and JH gene segments and the mouse constant region.

Clause 57. The method of any of clauses 47-56, wherein endogenous mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain V, D and J gene segments are positioned in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus upstream to the human VH, DH, and JH gene segments.

Clause 58. The method of clause 57, wherein the mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain V, D and J gene segments are present in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus with endogenous inter-gene segment sequences.

Clause 59. The method of clause 57 or 58, wherein the mouse immunoglobulin heavy chain V, D and J gene segments are positioned in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus in an orientation that is inverted relative to its natural endogenous orientation.

Clause 60. The method of any of clauses 47-59, wherein the mouse expresses light chains containing human kappa variable regions.

Clause 61. The method of clause 60, wherein the mouse expresses immunoglobulin light chains containing human Jκ.

Clause 62. The method of any of clauses 47-51, wherein the mouse expresses light chains containing human lambda variable regions.

Clause 63. The method of clause 62, wherein the mouse expresses immunoglobulin light chains containing human Jλ.

Clause 64. The method of clause 61, comprising a genome that includes human Vκ and Jκ gene segments positioned in said mouse heavy chain immunoglobulin locus upstream to a mouse CL.

Clause 65. The mouse of clause 64, wherein the mouse CL is an endogenous Cκ.

Clause 66. The mouse of clauses 64 or 65, wherein the human Vκ and Jκ gene segments comprise Vκ2-24, Vκ3-20, Vκ1-17, Vκ1-16, Vκ3-15, Vκ1-13, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-9, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-5, Vκ5-2, Vκ4-1, Jκ1, Jκ2, Jκ3, Jκ4 and Jκ5.

Clause 67. The method of any of clauses 47-51, wherein the human VH, DH and JH gene segments contain

-   -   human VH gene segments: VH2-5, 7-4-1, 4-4, 1-3, 1-2, 6-1;     -   human DH gene segments: D1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 1-7, 2-8,         3-9, 5-12, 6-13, 2-15, 3-16, 4-17, 6-19, 1-20, 2-21, 3-22, 6-25,         1-26 and 7-27; and     -   human JH gene segments: J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 and J6.

The invention also includes the following Attributes:

Attribute 1. An isolated non-human vertebrate, optionally a mammal, cell whose genome comprises an Ig H chain locus, the locus comprising, in 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation, a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch sequence, and a C region, wherein the C region is not a rat C region.

Attribute 1a. An isolated non-human vertebrate, optionally a mammal, cell whose genome comprises an Ig H chain locus, the locus comprising, in 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation, a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch sequence,

-   -   wherein the locus comprises a human-rat and/or a mouse-rat         sequence junction, and     -   wherein the rat sequence is provided by the rat switch sequence.

Attribute 2. An isolated non-human vertebrate, optionally a mammal, cell whose genome comprises an Ig H chain locus, the locus comprising, in 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation, a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch sequence, and a C region, wherein the rat switch sequence is a rat S-mu sequence that comprises at least 3 contiguous repeats of the repeat sequence GGGCT (SEQ ID No. 46-50).

Attribute 3. An isolated non-human vertebrate, optionally a mammal, cell whose genome comprises an Ig H chain locus, the locus comprising, in 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation, a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch sequence and a C region, wherein the rat switch is a rat S-mu sequence that comprises GAGCT (296 repeats), GGGGT (50 repeats), and/or GGGCT (83 repeats).

Attribute 4. A non-human vertebrate organism, optionally a mammal, whose genome comprises an Ig H chain locus, the locus comprising, in 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation, a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch sequence, and a C region, wherein the C region is not a rat C region.

Attribute 4a. An non-human vertebrate organism, optionally a mammal, whose genome comprises an Ig H chain locus, the locus comprising, in 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation, a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch sequence,

-   -   wherein the locus comprises a human-rat and/or a mouse-rat         sequence junction, and     -   wherein the rat sequence is provided by the rat switch sequence.

Attribute 5. A non-human vertebrate organism, optionally a mammal, whose genome comprises an Ig H chain locus, the locus comprising, in 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation, a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch sequence and a C region, wherein the rat switch sequence is a rat S-mu sequence that comprises at least 3 contiguous repeats of the repeat sequence GGGCT (SEQ ID NO. 46-50).

Attribute 6. A non-human vertebrate organism, optionally a mammal, whose genome comprises an Ig H chain locus, the locus comprising, in 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation, a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch sequence and a C region, wherein the rat switch sequence is a rat S-mu sequence that comprises GAGCT (296 repeats), GGGGT (50 repeats), and/or GGGCT (83 repeats).

Attribute 7. An isolated non-human vertebrate cell or organism, optionally a mammal, whose genome comprises an Ig H chain locus comprising DNA sequences from three or more vertebrate species, the Ig H chain locus comprising in 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation at least a V region, a D region, a J region, an enhancer, a rat switch sequence, and a C region.

Attribute 8. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1 to 7, wherein the genome of the cell or organism further comprises an Ig L chain locus comprising DNA sequences from three or more vertebrate species and wherein the Ig L chain locus comprises in 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation at least a human V region, a human J region, and a C region.

Attribute 9. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attribute 7 or 8, wherein said three or more vertebrate species are mouse, human and rat.

Attribute 10. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1 to 9, wherein said C region is endogenous to the cell or organism, and said V, D and/or J regions are human.

Attribute 11. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1-10, wherein the Ig H chain locus comprises a plurality of V regions, one or more D regions, and one or more J regions and/or wherein the Ig L chain locus comprises a plurality of V regions and one or more J regions.

Attribute 12. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1-11, wherein said V region is or said plurality of V regions are human.

Attribute 13. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1-11, wherein said D region is or said one or more D regions are human.

Attribute 14. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1-11, wherein said J region is or said one or more J regions are human.

Attribute 15. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 11-14, wherein said V region is or said plurality of V regions are human, said D region is or said one or more D regions are human, and said J region is or said one or more J regions are human.

Attribute 16. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1, 1a, 4a, 4, 7-11 and 15, wherein said rat switch sequence is rat S-mu.

Attribute 17. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1, 4, 7-11, and 15 further comprising a mouse enhancer sequence positioned upstream of and operatively associated with said rat switch sequence.

Attribute 18. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attribute 16, further comprising a mouse enhancer sequence positioned upstream of and operatively associated with said rat S-mu sequence.

Attribute 19. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1-4, 7-15, wherein the C region is one of a mouse C region or a human C region.

Attribute 20. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attribute 19, wherein the C region is CH1.

Attribute 21. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attribute 19, wherein the mouse C region is one or more of a C-mu or a C-gamma.

Attribute 22. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attribute 21, wherein the mouse C region is a C-mu and a C-gamma.

Attribute 23. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attribute 7, wherein the cell is a mouse cell or the vertebrate is a mouse and wherein the mouse C region is the endogenous mouse C region.

Attribute 24. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1, 1a, 4, 4a, and 7, wherein the rat S-mu sequence comprises at least 3 and up to 83 contiguous repeats of the repeat sequence GGGCT (SEQ ID NO. 46-50).

Attribute 25. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1, 1a, 2, 4, 4a, 5 and 7, comprising a rat S-mu sequence which comprises 296 repeats of the motif GAGCT.

Attribute 26. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1, 1a, 2, 4, 4a, 5 and 7, comprising a rat S-mu sequence which comprises 50 repeats of the motif GGGGT.

Attribute 27. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1, 1a, 2, 4, 4a, 5 and 7, comprising a rat S-mu sequence which comprises 83 repeats of the motif GGGCT.

Attribute 28. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any preceding attributes wherein the rat S-mu sequence comprises SEQ ID NO 1.

Attribute 29. The non-human vertebrate cell of any preceding attribute, wherein the cell is an ES cell, hematopoietic stem cell or hybridoma.

Attribute 30. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any preceding attribute, wherein the cell or organism is a mouse ES cell or a mouse, respectively.

Attribute 31. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1-10, wherein said Ig H chain locus comprises a human JH, a human DH, and human VH2-5 operatively associated with a rat S-mu sequence

Attribute 32. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1-10, wherein said Ig H chain locus comprises human JH1-5, a human DH, and a human operatively associated with a rat S-mu sequence.

Attribute 33. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1-10, wherein said cell is a mouse cell or said organism is a mouse;

-   -   wherein said Ig H chain locus comprises a mouse enhancer         positioned upstream of and operatively associated with a rat         switch sequence which is rat S-mu and     -   wherein said C region is a mouse constant region.

Attribute 34. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attribute 33, wherein said Ig H chain V, D and J regions are human and/or said Ig L chain V and J regions are human.

Attribute 35. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attributes 1-10, wherein said Ig H chain locus comprises a rearranged VDJ region.

Attribute 36. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attribute 35, wherein said rearranged VDJ region is human.

Attribute 37. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of any of attributes 1-10, wherein the cell or organism comprises a genome comprises human DNA comprising a plurality of human IgH V regions, one or more human D regions and one or more human J regions upstream of the host non-human mammal constant region and wherein the human IgH VDJ region comprises nucleotides 105,400,051 to 106,368,585 from human chromosome 14 (co-ordinates refer to NCBI36 for the human genome, ENSEMBL Release 54), or an equivalent human region from another human.

Attribute 38. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attribute 37, wherein human DNA is positioned between a non-human mammalian constant region and a non-human mammal J region positioned 3′ distal to any other non-human J region.

Attribute 39. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to attribute 37, when the cell is a mouse cell or the organism is a mouse said V, D and J regions are human and positioned between coordinates 114,667,091 and 114,665,190 of mouse chromosome 12 (coordinates refer to NCBI m37, for the mouse C57BL/6J strain), or at an equivalent position in another non-human mammal genome.

Attribute 40. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attribute 39, when the cell is a mouse cell or the organism is a mouse said V, D and J regions are human and positioned between coordinates 114,667,089 and 114,667,090 (co-ordinates refer to NCBI m37, for the mouse C57BL/6J strain), or at an equivalent position in another non-human mammal genome.

Attribute 41. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism of attribute 37, wherein the cell is a mouse cell or the organism is a mouse, and wherein said V, D and J regions are human and positioned between coordinates 114,666,183 and 114,666,725, such as between coordinates 114,666,283 and 114,666,625, optionally between coordinates 114,666,335 and 114,666,536, optionally between coordinates 114,666,385 and 114,666,486, optionally between coordinates 114,666,425 and 114,666,446, such as between coordinates 114,666,435 and 114,666,436 of mouse chromosome 12, with reference to NCBI m37 for the mouse genome relating to mouse strain C57BL/6J or an equivalent position of mouse chromosome 12 from a different mouse strain or an equivalent position in the genome of another non-human vertebrate.

Attribute 42. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, wherein the cell is a mouse cell or the organism is a mouse and wherein said Ig H chain V, D and J regions or said Ig L chain V and J regions are human.

Attribute 43. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, wherein said V, D and J regions are human and comprise or consist of nucleotides 106,328,851-107,268,544, such as nucleotides 106,328,901-107,268,494, such as nucleotides 106,328,941-107,268,454, such as nucleotides 106,328,951-107,268,444 of human Chromosome 14, with reference to the GRCH37/hg19 sequence database, or equivalent nucleotides relating to chromosome 14 from a different human sequence or database.

Attribute 44. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, comprising a human kappa VJ region DNA comprising, in germline configuration, all of the V and J regions and intervening sequences from a human.

Attribute 45. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to attribute 44, wherein the human kappa VJ region DNA is positioned between coordinates 70,673,918-70,675,517, such as between coordinates 70,674,418-70675,017, such as between coordinates 70,674, 655 70,674,856, such as between coordinates 70,674, 705-70,674,906, such as between coordinates 70,674, 745-70,674,766, such as between coordinates 70,674,755 and 70,674,756 of mouse chromosome 6 (with reference to NCBI m37 for the mouse genome, relating to mouse strain C57BL/6J), or at an equivalent position in another genome.

Attribute 46. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to attribute 45, wherein the human kappa VJ region DNA comprises or consists of a fragment from human chromosome 2, numbered with reference to the GRCH37/hg19 sequence database, or equivalent nucleotides relating to chromosome 2 from a different human sequence or database, the fragment selected from 1 or more of: (i) nucleotides 89,158,979-89,630,537, such as 89,159,029-89,630,487, such as 89,159,069-89,630,447, such as 89,159,079-89,630,437, optionally in addition to fragment (ii); (ii) nucleotides 89,941,614-90,267,076, such as 89,941,664-90,267,026, such as 89, 941,704-90,266,986, such as 89,941,714-90,266,976; optionally in addition to fragment (i); and (iii) nucleotides 89,158,979-90,267, 076, such as nucleotides 89,159,079-90,266,976.

Attribute 47. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, comprising human lambda region DNA which comprises at least one human Jλ region and at least one human Cλ region, optionally Cλ6 and/or Cλ7.

Attribute 48. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to attribute 47, comprising a plurality of human Jλ regions, optionally two or more of Jλ1, Jλ2, Jλ6 and Jλ7, optionally all of Jλ1, Jλ2, Jλ6 and Jλ7.

Attribute 49. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to attribute 47, comprising at least one human Jλ-Cλ cluster, optionally at least Jλ7-Cλ7.

Attribute 50. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, comprising a human Eλ enhancer.

Attribute 51. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, comprising human lambda VJ region DNA which comprises, in germline configuration, all of the V and J regions and intervening sequences from a human.

Attribute 52. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to attribute 51, wherein the human lambda VJ region DNA comprises or consists of nucleotides 22,375,509-23,327,984, such as nucleotides 22,375,559-23,327,934, such as nucleotides 22,375,599-23,327,894, such as nucleotides 22,375,609-23,327,884 from human chromosome 22, with reference to the GRCH37/hg19 sequence database, or equivalent nucleotides relating to human chromosome 22 from a different human sequence or database.

Attribute 53. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, wherein non-mouse DNA is positioned in the mouse genome between co-ordinates 19,027,763 and 19,061,845, such as between co-ordinates 19,037,763 and 19,051,845, such as between co-ordinates 19,047,451 and 19,047,652, such as between co-ordinates 19,047,491 and 19,047,602, such as between co-ordinates 19,047,541 and 19,047,562, such as between co-ordinates 19,047,551 and 19,047,552 of mouse chromosome 16, with reference to NCBI m37 for the mouse genome, or at an equivalent position in other genome.

Attribute 54. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, wherein non-human DNA is positioned in the mouse genome between co-ordinates 70,673,918 and 70,675,517 such as between co-ordinates 70,674,418 and 70,675,017, such as between co-ordinates 70,674,655 and 70,674,856, such as between co-ordinates 70,674,705 and 70,674,806, such as between co-ordinates 70,674,745 and 70,674,766, such as between co-ordinates 70,674,755 and 70,674,756 of mouse chromosome 6, with reference to NCBI m37 for the mouse genome, relating to mouse strain C57BL/6J) or at an equivalent position in another genome.

Attribute 55. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, wherein said V, D and J regions are human and human light chain kappa VJC DNA, or part thereof, is inserted immediately upstream of the mouse kappa VJC region.

Attribute 56. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, wherein the genome of the cell or organism is modified to prevent or reduce expression of fully host-species specific antibodies.

Attribute 57. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to attribute 56, wherein the genome of the cell or organism is modified by inversion of all or part of the non-human mammal VDJ region, or VJ region.

Attribute 58. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to attribute 56, wherein the genome of the cell or organism comprises human DNA and non-human DNA, and said non-human DNA comprises endogenous V and J regions or V, D, and J regions which have not been deleted.

Attribute 59. The non-human vertebrate organism according to any of attributes 1-10 generated in a genetic background which prevents the production of mature host B and T lymphocytes.

Attribute 60. The non-human vertebrate organism according to attribute 59 generated in a Rag-1 or Rag-2 deficient background.

Attribute 61. The non-human vertebrate cell according to attribute 29 which is an ES cell or hematopoietic stem cell capable of developing into a non-human mammal able to produce a repertoire of antibodies or antibody chains which are chimaeric, said chimaeric antibodies or chains having a non-human mammal constant region and a human variable region.

Attribute 62. The non-human vertebrate cell according to attribute 29 which is an ES cell or hematopoietic stem cell capable of contributing to tissues and organs of a non-human mammal which is able to produce a repertoire of antibodies or antibody chains which are chimaeric, said chimaeric antibodies or chains having a non-human mammal constant region and a human variable region.

Attribute 63. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, comprising human variable region DNA from at least a human heavy and human light chain.

Attribute 64. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, wherein the cell or organism is homozygous at one, two or all three immunoglobulin loci for DNA encoding a chimaeric antibody chain.

Attribute 65. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to any of attributes 1-10, wherein the cell or organism is heterozygous at one, two or all three immunoglobulin loci for DNA encoding a chimaeric heavy or light chain.

Attribute 66. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism according to attributes 1-10, wherein the genome of the cell or organism does not comprise constant region DNA from another cell or organism.

Attribute 67. The non-human vertebrate cell according to attribute 29 which is immortalised.

Attribute 68. The non-human vertebrate cell according to attribute 67 which is an ES cell line AB2.1, or a cell from a mouse strain selected from C57BL/6, M129, 129/SV, BALB/c, and any hybrid of C57BL/6, M129, 129/SV or BALB/c.

Attribute 69. A method for obtaining immunoglobulin heavy chain comprising human immunoglobulin variable region,

-   -   comprising providing the mouse of any of attributes attribute         1a, 4, 4a, 5-28, 30-60, and 63-66 and     -   isolating polypeptide comprising immunoglobulin heavy chain         comprising said human variable region.

Attribute 69a. The method of attribute 69, wherein said immunoglobulin heavy chain is a heavy chain of two chain or four chain antibody.

Attribute 69b. An antibody isolated according to the method of attribute 69.

Attribute 69c. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody of attribute 69b and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent.

Attribute 69d. The method of attribute 69 or 69a, wherein a step of immunizing the mouse with an antigen is performed before the step of isolating the immunoglobulin heavy chains.

Attribute 69e. The method of attribute 69d, wherein the antigen is a human antigen.

Attribute 69f. The method of attribute 69 or 69a, wherein said immunoglobulin heavy chain is one of isotype IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgM said human variable region specifically binds said antigen.

Attribute 69g. The method of attribute 69f, wherein said immunoglobulin heavy chain is a heavy chain of a two chain or four chain antibody and said antibody specifically binds said antigen.

Attribute 70. A polynucleotide landing pad sequence, the polynucleotide comprising nucleic acid regions homologous to regions of a target chromosome to allow for insertion by homologous recombination into the target chromosome, and comprising a nucleic acid site which permits recombinase-driven insertion of a nucleic acid into the landing pad, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises one or more of: (i) a rat switch sequence, optionally a rat S-mu switch, which is optionally the sequence of SEQ ID NO 1; (ii) in a 5′ to 3′ direction, a mouse Eμ sequence, a rat switch sequence, and mouse Cμ; and/or (iii) a 3′ homology arm having the sequence of SEQ ID NO 6.

Attribute 71. The non-human vertebrate organism, optionally a mammal, comprising a landing pad sequence according to attribute 70 which has been inserted into the genome of the cell.

Attribute 72. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism, optionally a mammal, or landing pad according to attribute 70 or 71, wherein the rat switch sequence comprises 3, 4, 5, 6 or more contiguous repeats of the sequence GGGCT, optionally being SEQ ID NO 1.

Attribute 73. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism, optionally a mammal, or landing pad according to any of attributes 70 to 72, wherein the landing pad sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO 2.

Attribute 74. The non-human vertebrate cell or organism, optionally a mammal, or landing pad according to any of attributes 70 to 73, wherein the landing pad sequence comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO 3.

Attribute 75. A method for producing an isolated non-human vertebrate, optionally a mammal, cell comprising:

-   -   inserting one or more non-native DNA constructs into a non-human         mammal cell genome,     -   thereby producing a cell whose genome includes an Ig H chain         locus having a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch         sequence, and a C region in a 5′ to 3′ transcriptional         orientation, wherein the C region is not a rat C region.

Attribute 76. A method for producing an isolated non-human vertebrate, optionally a mammal, cell comprising:

-   -   inserting one or more non-native DNA constructs into a non-human         mammal cell genome,     -   thereby producing a cell whose genome includes an Ig H chain         locus having a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch         sequence, and a C region in a 5′ to 3′ transcriptional         orientation, wherein the rat switch sequence is a rat S-mu         sequence that comprises at least 3 contiguous repeats of the         repeat sequence GGGCT (SEQ ID NO. 46-50).

Attribute 77. A method for producing a non-human vertebrate, optionally a mammal, cell comprising:

-   -   inserting one or more non-native DNA constructs into a non-human         mammal cell genome,     -   thereby producing a cell whose genome includes an Ig H chain         locus having a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch         sequence, and a C region in a 5′ to 3′ transcriptional         orientation, wherein the rat switch is a rat S-mu sequence that         comprises GAGCT (296 repeats), GGGGT (50 repeats), and/or GGGCT         (83 repeats).

Attribute 78. A method for producing a non-human vertebrate organism, optionally a mammal, comprising:

inserting one or more non-native DNA constructs into a non-human mammal cell genome,

-   -   thereby producing a genome including an Ig H chain locus having         a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch sequence, and a         C region in a 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation, wherein the         C region is not a rat C region.

Attribute 79. A method for producing a non-human vertebrate organism, optionally a mammal, comprising:

-   -   inserting one or more non-native DNA constructs into a non-human         mammal cell genome,     -   thereby producing a genome including an Ig H chain locus having         a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch sequence, and a         C region in a 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation, wherein the         rat switch is a rat S-mu sequence that comprises at least 3         contiguous repeats of the repeat sequence GGGCT (SEQ ID NO.         46-50).

Attribute 80. A method for producing a non-human vertebrate organism, optionally a mammal, comprising:

-   -   inserting one or more non-native DNA constructs into a non-human         mammal cell genome,     -   thereby producing a genome including an Ig H chain locus having         a V region, a J region, a D region, a rat switch sequence, and a         C region in a 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation wherein the         rat switch is a rat S-mu sequence that comprises GAGCT (296         repeats), GGGGT (50 repeats), and/or GGGCT (83 repeats).

Attribute 81. A method for producing an isolated non-human vertebrate cell or organism, optionally a mammal, comprising:

-   -   inserting one or more non-native DNA constructs into a non-human         mammal cell genome,     -   thereby producing a genome including an Ig H chain locus having         DNA from three or more mammalian species, wherein the Ig H chain         locus includes, in a 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation, at         least a V region, a D region, a J region, an enhancer, a rat         switch sequence, and a C region.

Attribute 82. The method of any of attributes 75 to 81, further comprising:

-   -   inserting one or more non-native DNA constructs into the         non-human mammal cell genome,     -   thereby producing a genome including an Ig L chain locus         comprising in 5′ to 3′ transcriptional orientation at least a         human VL region, a human JL region, and a CL region.

Attribute 83. The method attribute 81 or 82, wherein said constant region (CL) is a mouse or human constant region.

Attribute 84. The method of attribute 81 or 82, wherein the enhancer is a mouse enhancer sequence.

Attribute 85. The method of any of attributes 75, 78, or 81-84, wherein said rat switch sequence is rat S-mu.

Attribute 86. The method of any of attributes 75 to 85, wherein said V, D and/or J region is human or V and/or J region is human.

Attribute 87. The method of any of attributes 75 to 86, wherein the IgH locus C region is one of a mouse C region or a human C region.

Attribute 88. The method according to any of attributes 75 to 87, wherein the non-human mammal cell genome is then modified to prevent expression of native (fully host species specific) antibodies in the cell or vertebrate organism, optionally by inversion of all or part of host non-human mammal Ig locus, optionally by insertion of one or more site specific recombinase sites into the genome and then use of these sites in recombinase-mediated excision or inversion of all or a part of the host non-human mammal Ig locus.

Attribute 89. The method according to any of attributes 75 to 88, wherein the cell is an ES cell.

Attribute 90. The method according to any of attributes 75 to 89, wherein the step of inserting DNA is accomplished by step-wise insertion of multiple constructs by homologous recombination and wherein said DNA is inserted upstream of the host non-human mammal constant region.

Attribute 91. The method according to any of attributes 75 to 90, wherein the step of inserting DNA occurs at a site where an initiation cassette has been inserted into the genome of an ES cell, thereby providing a unique targeting region.

Attribute 92. The method according to any of attributes 75 to 91, wherein one or more insertion events utilises site specific recombination.

Attribute 93. The method according to attribute 92, wherein said one or more insertion events is mediated by, or involves, one or more of Frt sites, Flp recombinase, Dre recombinase, Rox sites, or PhiC31 recombinase.

Attribute 94. The method according to any of attributes 75 to 93, wherein inserting one or more non-native DNA constructs into a non-human mammal cell genome comprises the steps of:

1 insertion of DNA forming an initiation cassette (also called a landing pad herein) into the genome of a cell;

2 insertion of a first DNA fragment into the insertion site, the first DNA fragment comprising a first portion of a human DNA and a first vector portion containing a first selectable marker or generating a selectable marker upon insertion;

3 optionally removal of part of the vector DNA;

4 insertion of a second DNA fragment into the vector portion of the first DNA fragment, the second DNA fragment containing a second portion of human DNA and a second vector portion, the second vector portion containing a second selectable marker, or generating a second selectable marker upon insertion;

5 removal of any vector DNA to allow the first and second human DNA fragments to form a contiguous sequence; and

6 iteration of the steps of insertion of a part of the human V(D)J DNA and vector DNA removal, as necessary, to produce a cell with all or part of the human VDJ or VJ region sufficient to be capable of generating a chimaeric antibody in conjunction with a host constant region,

-   -   wherein the insertion of at least one DNA fragment uses site         specific recombination.

Attribute 95. The method according to any of attributes 75 to 94, wherein the landing pad sequence comprises SEQ ID NO 6, SEQ ID NO. 2, or SEQ ID NO. 3.

Attribute 96. The method according to any of attributes 75 to 95, wherein the landing pad is inserted into the mouse cell genome by homologous recombination between mouse J1-4 and mouse C mu sequences.

Attribute 97. The method according to any of attributes 75 to 96, wherein the landing pad is recombined into the mouse cell genome by homologous recombination between mouse J1-4 and E mu sequences.

Attribute 98. The method according to any of attributes 75 to 97, wherein the landing pad comprises a non-host S-mu, such as a rat S-mu switch.

Attribute 99. The method, cell or mammal as attributed in any of attributes 1 to 98, wherein a human coding region DNA sequence is in a functional arrangement with a non-human mammal control sequence, such that transcription of the human DNA is controlled by the non-human mammal control sequence.

Attribute 100. A method for producing an antibody or antibody heavy or light chain specific to a desired antigen, the method comprising immunizing the non-human vertebrate as attributed in attribute 4-28, 30-60, 63-66, or 71-74 with the desired antigen and recovering the antibody or antibody chain or recovering a cell producing the antibody or heavy or light chain.

Attribute 101. The method for producing a fully humanised antibody or antibody chain comprising carrying out the method according to attribute 100 and then replacing the non-human mammal constant region of the recovered antibody or antibody chain with a human constant region, suitably by engineering of the nucleic acid encoding the antibody or antibody chain.

Attribute 102. A humanised antibody or antibody chain produced according to attribute 100 or 101 or a derivative thereof that binds the desired antigen.

Attribute 103. Use of the humanised antibody or chain produced according to attribute 100 or 101 or a derivative thereof that binds the desired antigen in medicine.

Attribute 104. The humanised antibody or antibody chain produced according to attribute 100 or 101 or a derivative thereof that binds the desired antigen for use in medicine.

Attribute 105. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody or antibody chain according to attribute 100 or 101 or a derivative thereof that binds the desired antigen and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or other excipient.

Attribute 106. A chimaeric antibody derivative of a chimaeric antibody produced according to attribute 100, wherein the derivative binds the desired antigen.

Attribute 107. A mouse whose genome comprises an insertion of human IgH VDJ DNA between co-ordinates 114,667,090 and 114,665,190 of mouse chromosome 12, such as between co-ordinates 114,667,089 and 114,667,090, the insert comprising nucleotides 105,400,051 to 106,368,585 from human chromosome 14 (co-ordinates refer to NCBI36 for the human genome and NCBI m37, for the mouse C57BL/6J strain, or equivalent coordinates in another human chromosome 14 sequence or in another mouse genome respectively), the insertion being upstream of the host non-human mammal constant region such that the mouse is able to produce a repertoire of chimaeric heavy chains having a non-human mammal constant region and a human variable region, wherein the mammal also comprises an insertion of the complete VJC human light chain region such that a fully human lambda or kappa human antibody chain may be generated which is able to form an antibody with a chimaeric heavy chain.

Attribute 108. A mouse whose genome comprises an insertion of human IgH VDJ DNA between co-ordinates 114,667,090 and 114,667,091 of mouse chromosome 12, the insert comprising or consisting of nucleotides 105,400,051 to 106,368,585 from human chromosome 14 (co-ordinates refer to NCBI36 for the human genome and NCBI m37 for the mouse C57BL/6J strain, or equivalent coordinates in another human chromosome 14 sequence or in another mouse genome respectively), the insertion being upstream of the mouse constant region such that the mouse is able to produce a repertoire of chimaeric heavy chains having a mouse constant region and a human variable region, wherein the mouse also comprises an insertion of the complete VJC human light chain region such that a fully human lambda or kappa human antibody chain may be generated which is able to form an antibody with a chimaeric heavy chain.

Attribute 109. A mouse whose genome comprises an insertion of human IgH VDJ DNA between co-ordinates 114,667,090 and 114,665,190 of mouse chromosome 12, where co-ordinates refer to NCBI m37, for the mouse C57BL/6J strain, or an insertion at an equivalent position in another mouse strain, the insert comprising or consisting of nucleotides 106,328,951-107,268,444 from human chromosome 14, where co-ordinates refer to the GRCH37/hg19 sequence database for humans, or the same nucleotides from an equivalent position in another human chromosome 14 sequence, the insertion being upstream of the host mouse constant region such that the mouse is able to produce a repertoire of chimaeric heavy chains having a mouse constant region and a human variable region, wherein the mouse also comprises an insertion of the complete VJC human light chain region which is functional to generate a fully human lambda or kappa human antibody chain which forms an antibody with a chimaeric heavy chain.

Attribute 110. A mouse according to attribute 109, wherein the insertion is between co-ordinates 114,666,435 and 114,666,436 of mouse chromosome 12.

Attribute 116. A method of making a non-human vertebrate cell, optionally a mouse or rat, the method comprising:

-   -   (a) providing the non-human ES cell of attribute 29, 61, 62, or         68 and whereby the non-human ES cell is capable of giving rise         to a progeny cell in which endogenous antibody expression is         inactivated and wherein the progeny cell is capable of         expressing antibodies comprising human variable regions; and     -   (b) optionally differentiating said non-human ES cell into said         progeny cell or a non-human vertebrate organism comprising said         progeny cell.

Attribute 117. The method according to attribute 116, wherein said plurality of human antibody gene segments comprises at least eleven human V segments.

Attribute 118. The method according to attribute 116 or 117, wherein said plurality of human antibody gene segments comprises at least six human J segments.

Attribute 119. The method according to any one of attributes 116 to 118, wherein a human nucleotide sequence is inserted in step (b), the nucleotide sequence comprising said antibody gene segments, wherein the nucleotide sequence is at least 110 kb.

Attribute 120. The method according to any one of attributes 116 to 119, wherein the endogenous locus is a heavy chain locus and the human antibody gene segments are between the 3′-most endogenous JH gene segment and endogenous C-mu.

Attribute 121. The method according to any one of attributes 116 to 120, wherein the progeny cell is homozygous for said transgenic locus.

Attribute 122. A method of isolating an antibody that binds a predetermined antigen, the method comprising

-   -   (a) providing a vertebrate organism, mouse, or mammal,         optionally a rat, according to any one of attributes 1a, 4, 4a,         5-28, 30-60, 63-66, or 71-74, and 107-110;     -   (b) immunising said vertebrate organism, mouse, or mammal with         said antigen (optionally wherein the antigen is an antigen of an         infectious disease pathogen);     -   (c) removing B lymphocytes from the vertebrate organism, mouse,         or mammal and selecting one or more B lymphocytes expressing         antibodies that bind to the antigen;     -   (d) optionally immortalising said selected B lymphocytes or         progeny thereof, optionally by producing hybridomas therefrom;         and     -   (e) isolating an antibody (e.g., and IgG-type antibody)         expressed by the B lymphocytes.

Attribute 123. The method of attribute 122, comprising the step of isolating from said B lymphocytes nucleic acid encoding said antibody that binds said antigen; optionally exchanging the heavy chain constant region nucleotide sequence of the antibody with a nucleotide sequence encoding a human or humanised heavy chain constant region and optionally affinity maturing the variable region of said antibody; and optionally inserting said nucleic acid into an expression vector and optionally a host.

Attribute 124. The method of attribute 122 or 123, further comprising making a mutant or derivative of the antibody produced by the method of attribute 122 or 123.

Attribute 125. An antibody or fragment thereof comprising variable regions that specifically bind a predetermined antigen with a sub-50 nM affinity as determined by surface plasmon resonance, wherein the antibody is isolated from a non-human vertebrate organism, mouse, or mammal, optionally a rat, according to any one of attributes 1a, 4, 4a, 5-28, 30-60, 63-66, or 71-74, and 107-110 and comprises heavy chain CDR3s (as defined by Kabat) encoded by a rearranged VDJ of said vertebrate organism, mouse, or mammal, wherein the VDJ is the product of rearrangement in vivo of a human JH gene segment of a heavy chain locus of said vertebrate with D (optionally a human D gene segment of said locus) and VH gene segments.

Attribute 126. An antibody or fragment that is identical to an antibody of attribute 125 or a derivative thereof, optionally a derivative whose constant regions are human and/or an affinity matured derivative, that specifically binds said antigen with a sub-50 nM affinity as determined by surface plasmon resonance.

Attribute 127. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody or fragment of attribute 125 or 126 and a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent, excipient or carrier.

Attribute 128. A nucleotide sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region of an antibody or fragment of attribute 125 or 126, optionally as part of a vector (e.g., an expression vector).

Attribute 129. The nucleotide sequence of attribute 128, wherein the sequence is a cDNA derived from a B-cell of the vertebrate from which the antibody of attribute 125 is isolated, or is identical to such a cDNA.

Attribute 130. An isolated host cell (e.g., a hybridoma or a CHO cell or a HEK293 cell) comprising a nucleotide sequence according to attribute 128 or 129.

Attribute 131. A method of isolating an antibody that binds a predetermined antigen, the method comprising

-   -   (a) providing a vertebrate organism, mouse, or mammal,         optionally a rat, according to any one of attributes 1a, 4, 4a,         5-28, 30-60, 63-66, or 71-74, and 107-110;     -   (b) immunising said vertebrate organism, mouse, or mammal with         said antigen;     -   (c) removing B lymphocytes from the vertebrate organism, mouse,         or mammal and selecting a B lymphocyte expressing an antibody         that binds to the antigen with sub-nM affinity, wherein the         antibody is according to attribute 125;     -   (d) optionally immortalising said selected B lymphocyte or         progeny thereof, optionally by producing hybridomas therefrom;         and     -   (e) isolating an antibody (e.g., and IgG-type antibody)         expressed by the B lymphocyte.

Attribute 132. The method of attribute 131, comprising the step of isolating from said B lymphocyte nucleic acid encoding said antibody that binds said antigen; optionally exchanging the heavy chain constant region nucleotide sequence of the antibody with a nucleotide sequence encoding a human or humanised heavy chain constant region and optionally affinity maturing the variable region of said antibody; and optionally inserting said nucleic acid into an expression vector and optionally a host.

Attribute 133. The method of attribute 131 or 132, further comprising making a mutant or derivative of the antibody produced by the method of attribute 131 or 132.

Attribute 137. A cassette for inversion and inactivation of endogenous mouse antibody heavy chain gene segments, the segments being part of a heavy chain locus sequence on chromosome 12 of a mouse cell (e.g., ES cell) wherein the sequence is flanked at its 3′ end by a site-specific recombination site (e.g., lox, rox or frt), the cassette comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an expressible label or selectable marker and a compatible site-specific recombination site (e.g., lox, rox or frt) flanked by a 5′ and a 3′ homology arm, wherein (i) the 5′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 119,753,124 to coordinate 119,757,104 and the 3′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 119,749,288 to 119,753,123; (ii) the 5′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 119,659,459 to coordinate 119,663,126 and the 3′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 119,656,536 to 119,659,458; or (iii) the 5′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 120,918,607 to coordinate 120,921,930 and the 3′ homology arm is mouse chromosome 12 DNA from coordinate 120,915,475 to 120,918,606.

Attribute 138. A mouse or mouse cell whose genome comprises an inversion of a chromosome 12, wherein the inversion comprises inverted endogenous heavy chain gene segments (e.g., VH, D and JH, such as the entire endogenous heavy chain VDJ region); wherein the genome of the mouse or mouse cell comprises a transgenic heavy chain locus comprising a plurality of human VH gene segments, a plurality of human D segments and a plurality of human JH segments upstream of and operatively associated with an endogenous constant region (e.g., C mu) so that the mouse or mouse cell (optionally following differentiation into a B-cell) is capable of expressing an antibody comprising a variable region comprising sequences derived from the human gene segments; and wherein the inversion is (i) an inversion of mouse chromosome 12 from coordinate 119,753,123 to coordinate 114,666,436; (ii) an inversion of mouse chromosome 12 from coordinate 119,659,458 to coordinate 114,666,436; or (iii) an inversion of mouse chromosome 12 from coordinate 120,918,606 to coordinate 114,666,436.

The invention also includes the following provisions:

≧80% of all LIGHT chain are human Vλ

Provision 1. A non-human vertebrate having a genome comprising a recombinant immunoglobulin light chain locus, said locus comprising a targeted insert positioned in an endogenous light chain locus,

-   -   wherein the targeted insert comprises human lambda light chain         locus DNA and is positioned upstream to a lambda light chain         constant region,     -   wherein said targeted insert includes a repertoire of human Vλ         and Jλ gene segments,     -   wherein the vertebrate expresses immunoglobulin light chains         comprising human lambda variable regions, and     -   wherein at least 80% of the immunoglobulin light chains         expressed in said vertebrate comprises human lambda variable         regions.

Provision 2. The vertebrate of provision 1, wherein the repertoire of human Vλ and Jλ insertion comprises at least the functional human V and J gene segments comprised by a human lambda chain immunoglobulin locus from Vλ2-18 to Cλ7.

Provision 3. The vertebrate of provision 1, wherein the endogenous light chain locus is the endogenous kappa locus.

Provision 4. The vertebrate of provision 3, wherein the genome is homozygous for the repertoire of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments and wherein the endogenous kappa chain expression is substantially inactive.

Provision 5. The vertebrate of provision 4, wherein the endogenous kappa chain expression is completely inactive.

Provision 6. The vertebrate of provision 1, wherein the endogenous light chain locus is the endogenous lambda locus.

Provision 7. The vertebrate of provision 6, wherein the genome is homozygous for the repertoire of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments and wherein expression of the endogenous lambda chain is substantially inactive.

Provision 8. The vertebrate of provision 7, wherein expression of the endogenous lambda chain is completely inactive.

Provision 9. The vertebrate of provision 1, wherein the targeted insert is positioned downstream of endogenous V and J light chain gene segments.

Provision 10. The vertebrate of provision 1, wherein the targeted insert includes a constant region of a human lambda light chain locus.

Provision 11. The vertebrate of provision 10, wherein said light chains expressed by said vertebrate comprise V-C regions derived from recombination of human Vλ, Jλ, and Cλ gene segments.

Provision 12. The vertebrate of provision 1, wherein the vertebrate is derived from a mouse ES cell or a rat ES cell.

Provision 13. The vertebrate of provision 1, wherein the vertebrate is a mouse or a rat.

Provision 14. The vertebrate of provision 1, wherein the targeted insert comprises inter-gene segment intervening sequences being human lambda light chain locus DNA which is between functional human V and J light chain gene segments in a human locus or comprises inter-gene segment intervening sequences being lambda light chain locus DNA which is between corresponding lambda light chain gene segments in an endogenous non-human vertebrate genome.

Provision 15. The vertebrate of provision 14, wherein the targeted insert includes a human lambda immunoglobulin gene segment pseudogene.

Provision 16. The vertebrate of provision 14, wherein the targeted insert lacks a human lambda immunoglobulin gene segment pseudogene.

Provision 17. The vertebrate of provision 1, wherein at least 70, 75, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99%, or 100% of immunoglobulin light chains expressed by said vertebrate comprise human V regions derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments.

Provision 18. The vertebrate of provision 17, wherein at least 90% of immunoglobulin light chains expressed by said vertebrate comprise human V regions derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments.

≧60% of all LIGHT chains have human Vλ regions

Provision 19. A non-human vertebrate having a genome comprising a recombinant immunoglobulin light chain locus, said locus comprising a targeted insert positioned in an endogenous light chain locus,

-   -   wherein the targeted insert comprises human lambda light chain         locus DNA which is positioned upstream to a lambda light chain         constant region and includes a repertoire of human Vλ and Jλ         gene segments,     -   wherein said genome comprises kappa V gene segments positioned         upstream to a light chain constant region,     -   wherein the vertebrate expresses immunoglobulin light chains         comprising lambda variable regions, and     -   wherein at least 60% of immunoglobulin light chains expressed by         said vertebrate comprises human lambda variable regions.

Provision 20. The vertebrate provision 19, wherein at least 65, 70, 80, 84, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99%, or 100% of immunoglobulin light chains expressed by said vertebrate comprises human variable regions derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments.

Provision 21. The vertebrate of provision 20, wherein at least 84% of immunoglobulin light chains expressed by said vertebrate comprises human variable regions derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments.

Provision 22. The vertebrate of provision 21, wherein at least 95% of immunoglobulin light chains expressed by said vertebrate comprises human variable regions derived from recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments.

Provision 23. The vertebrate of provision 19, wherein the vertebrate is derived from a mouse ES cell or a rat ES cell.

Provision 24. The vertebrate of provision 19, wherein the vertebrate is a mouse or a rat.

Provision 25. The vertebrate or cell of provision 19, wherein the targeted insert is positioned downstream of endogenous V and J light chain gene segments.

Provision 25a. The vertebrate of provisions 19, wherein the kappa V gene segments positioned upstream to a light chain constant region are endogenous kappa V gene segments.

Vλ Jλ into Kappa or Lambda Locus

Provision 26. A non-human vertebrate or cell having a genome comprising a recombinant immunoglobulin light chain locus, said locus comprising a targeted insert positioned downstream to endogenous V and J light chain gene segments,

-   -   wherein the targeted insert comprises human immunoglobulin Vλ         and Jλ gene segments,     -   wherein said human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are positioned         upstream to a light chain constant region,     -   wherein said human Vλ and Jλ gene segments comprise at least the         functional V and J gene segments from Vλ2-18 to Cλ7 of a human         lambda light chain locus, and     -   wherein said vertebrate or cell expresses immunoglobulin light         chains comprising human lambda variable regions.

Provision 27. The vertebrate or cell of provision 26, wherein the targeted insert includes a constant region of a human lambda light chain locus.

Provision 28. The vertebrate or cell of provision 27, wherein said light chains expressed by said vertebrate or cell comprise human V-C regions derived from recombination of human Vλ, Jλ, and Cλ gene segments.

Provision 29. The vertebrate or cell of provision 26, wherein the endogenous V and J light chain gene segments are V kappa and J kappa gene segments.

Provision 30. The vertebrate or cell of provision 26, wherein endogenous kappa chain expression is substantially inactive.

Provision 31. The vertebrate or cell of provision 30, wherein the endogenous kappa chain expression is completely inactive.

Provision 32. The vertebrate or cell of provision 26, wherein the endogenous V and J light chain gene segments are V lambda and J lambda gene segments.

Provision 33. The vertebrate or cell of provision 26, wherein endogenous lambda chain expression is substantially inactive.

Provision 34. The vertebrate or cell of provision 30, wherein the endogenous lambda chain expression is completely inactive.

Provision 35. The vertebrate or cell of provision 25, wherein the targeted insert comprises inter-gene segment intervening sequences being human lambda light chain locus DNA which is between functional human V and J light chain gene segments in a human locus or comprises inter-gene segment intervening sequences being lambda light chain locus DNA which is between corresponding lambda light chain gene segments in an endogenous genome.

Provision 36. The vertebrate or cell of provision 35, wherein the targeted insert includes a pseudogene.

Provision 37. The vertebrate of provision 25, wherein the vertebrate is derived from a mouse ES cell or a rat ES cell.

Provision 38. The vertebrate of provision 25, wherein the vertebrate is a mouse or a rat.

Provision 38a. The vertebrate of provisions 25, wherein said human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are positioned upstream to an endogenous light chain constant region.

VJCλ into Kappa Locus

Provision 39. A non-human vertebrate or cell having a genome comprising a recombinant immunoglobulin kappa light chain locus, said locus comprising a targeted insert of human Vλ, Jλ and Cλ gene segments positioned upstream to an endogenous kappa constant region,

-   -   wherein said vertebrate or cell expresses immunoglobulin light         chains comprising human V-C regions derived from recombination         of human Vλ, Jλ, and Cλ gene segments, and     -   wherein said targeted insert comprises at least the functional         V, J and C gene segments from Vλ3-1 to Cλ7 of a human lambda         chain immunoglobulin locus.

Provision 40. The vertebrate or cell of provision 39, wherein said targeted insert comprises at least the functional V, J and C gene segments from Vλ2-18 to Cλ7 of a human lambda light chain immunoglobulin locus.

Provision 41. The vertebrate or cell of provision 39, wherein the targeted insert comprises inter-gene segment intervening sequences being human lambda light chain locus DNA which is between functional human V and J or J and C light chain gene segments in a human locus or comprises inter-gene segment intervening sequences being lambda light chain locus DNA which is between corresponding lambda light chain gene segments in an endogenous non-human vertebrate genome.

Provision 42. The vertebrate or cell of provision 41, wherein the targeted insert includes a pseudogene.

Provision 43. The vertebrate of provision 39, wherein the vertebrate is derived from a mouse ES cell or a rat ES cell.

Provision 44. The vertebrate of provision 39, wherein the vertebrate is a mouse or a rat.

Provision 45. The vertebrate or cell of provision 39, wherein the endogenous kappa chain expression is substantially inactive.

Provision 46. The vertebrate or cell of provision 45, wherein the endogenous kappa chain expression is completely inactive.

Provision 47. The vertebrate or cell of provision 39, wherein the targeted insert is positioned downstream of endogenous V and J light chain gene segments.

VJλ into Kappa Locus

Provision 48. A non-human vertebrate or cell having a genome comprising a recombinant immunoglobulin kappa light chain locus, said locus comprising endogenous Vκ and Jκ gene segments upstream to a targeted insert,

-   -   wherein the targeted insert comprises at least the functional Vλ         and Jλ gene segments from Vλ3-1 to Cλ7 of a human lambda light         chain immunoglobulin locus,     -   wherein said vertebrate or cell expresses an immunoglobulin         light chain comprising a human lambda variable region, and     -   wherein expression of light chains comprising endogenous kappa         variable regions derived from recombination of endogenous Vκ and         Jκ gene segments is substantially inactive.

Provision 49. The vertebrate of provision 48, wherein the vertebrate is derived from a mouse ES cell or a rat ES cell.

Provision 50. The vertebrate of provision 48, wherein the vertebrate is a mouse or a rat.

Provision 51. The vertebrate or cell of provision 48, wherein said targeted insert comprises at least the functional Vλ and Jλ gene segments from Vλ2-18 to Cλ7 of a human lambda light chain immunoglobulin locus.

Provision 52. The vertebrate or cell of provision 48, wherein endogenous Vκ and Jκ light chain expression is completely inactive.

Provision 53. The vertebrate or cell of provision 48, wherein less than 10, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, or 0.5% of immunoglobulin light chains expressed by said vertebrate or cell comprise endogenous kappa variable regions.

Provision 54. The vertebrate or cell of provision 48, wherein the targeted insert comprises inter-gene segment intervening sequences being human lambda light chain locus DNA which is between functional human V and J gene segments in a human locus or comprises inter-gene segment intervening sequences being lambda light chain locus DNA which is between corresponding lambda light chain gene segments in an endogenous genome.

Provision 55. A non-human vertebrate or cell, having a recombinant genome comprising endogenous immunoglobulin kappa light chain locus sequences comprising at least one endogenous kappa enhancer (Eκ) sequence, at least one endogenous V kappa gene segment, at least one endogenous J kappa gene segment, and at least one endogenous C kappa constant region, wherein endogenous V kappa and J kappa gene segments are separated from a respective endogenous Eκ sequence on the same chromosome by a distance that substantially prevents production of an endogenous immunoglobulin kappa light chain polypeptide.

Provision 56. The vertebrate or cell of provision 55, wherein the endogenous V kappa and J kappa gene segments are separated from the respective endogenous Eκ sequence by a distance that is greater than the distance between endogenous V kappa and J kappa gene segments and a respective endogenous Eκ sequence in an endogenous, non recombinant kappa light chain locus.

Provision 57. The cell of provision 55, wherein the cell is a mouse cell or a rat cell.

Provision 57a. The vertebrate of provision 55, wherein the vertebrate is derived from a mouse ES cell or a rat ES cell.

Provision 58. The vertebrate of provision 55, wherein the vertebrate is a mouse or a rat.

Provision 59. The vertebrate or cell of provision 55, wherein said recombinant genome comprises a targeted insert comprising one or more human V light chain gene segments and one or more human J light chain gene segments,

-   -   wherein the targeted insert is positioned between said         endogenous V kappa and J kappa gene segments and said respective         endogenous Eκ sequence.

Provision 59a. The vertebrate or cell of provision 59, wherein said recombinant genome is homozygous for the targeted insert.

Provision 60. The vertebrate or cell of provision 59, wherein the targeted insert comprises light chain gene segments comprising one or more human Vκ and one or more Jκ gene segments.

Provision 60a. The vertebrate or cell of provision 60, wherein said recombinant genome is homozygous for the targeted insert.

Provision 61. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the targeted insert comprises a repertoire of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments and wherein the targeted insert has been inserted within 100 kb of an endogenous light chain locus enhancer sequence.

Provision 62. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the targeted insert comprises a repertoire of at least 10 human Vλ gene or human Jλ gene segments and wherein the targeted insert is positioned upstream to an endogenous light chain constant region.

Provision 63. The vertebrate or cell of provision 62, wherein the targeted insert comprises at least a portion of a human immunoglobulin lambda chain locus from Vλ2-18 to Vλ3-1.

Provision 64. The vertebrate or cell of provision 62, wherein the targeted insert comprises at least 2, 3, 4, or 5 human Jλ gene segments.

Provision 65. The vertebrate or cell of provision 64, wherein the human Jλ gene segments are different from each other.

Provision 66. The vertebrate or cell of provision 65, wherein the human Jλ gene segments are Jλ1, Jλ2, Jλ3, Jλ6, and Jλ7.

Provision 67. The vertebrate or cell of provision 62, wherein the targeted insert includes at least a portion of a human immunoglobulin lambda chain locus from Vλ2-18 to Cλ7.

Provision 68. The vertebrate or cell of provision 62, wherein the targeted insert excludes human Jλ4Cλ4 and/or human Jλ5Cλ5.

Provision 69. The vertebrate or cell of provision 62, wherein the targeted insert includes a human light chain enhancer.

Provision 70. The vertebrate or cell of provision 69, wherein the human light chain enhancer is an Eλ sequence and wherein the Eλ sequence is positioned between the human Jλ gene segments and an endogenous light chain constant region.

Provision 71. The vertebrate or cell of provision 70, wherein the human Jλ gene segments are part of a human JλCλ cluster.

Provision 72. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the vertebrate or cell expresses lambda immunoglobulin light chains comprising a repertoire of human lambda variable regions encoded by human Vλ and Jλ gene segments, wherein the human Vλ includes Vλ3-1 and, optionally, one or more of Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, and Vλ4-3, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are included in the targeted insert.

Provision 73. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the vertebrate or cell expresses lambda immunoglobulin light chains comprising a repertoire of human lambda variable regions encoded by human Vλ and Jλ gene segments, wherein the human Vλ includes Vλ2-14 and, optionally, one or more of Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3, and Vλ3-1, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are included in the targeted insert.

Provision 74. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the vertebrate or cell expresses lambda immunoglobulin light chains comprising a repertoire of human lambda variable regions encoded by human Vλ and Jλ gene segments, wherein the human Vλ includes including Vλ2-8 and, optionally, one or more of Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ4-3, and Vλ3-1, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are included in the targeted insert.

Provision 75. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the vertebrate or cell expresses lambda immunoglobulin light chains comprising a repertoire of human lambda variable regions encoded by human Vλ and Jλ gene segments, wherein the human Vλ includes Vλ3-10 and, optionally, one or more of Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3, and Vλ3-1, wherein the human Vλ and Jλ gene segments are included in the targeted insert.

Provision 76. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the targeted insert comprises each functional Vλ gene segment from Vλ2-18 to Vλ3-1 of a human lambda light chain locus.

Provision 77. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein at least a human Vλ3-1 is included in the targeted insert.

Provision 78. The vertebrate or cell of provision 77, wherein at least Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3, and Vλ3-1 are included in the targeted insert.

Provision 79. The vertebrate of any preceding provision, wherein the vertebrate expresses more lambda chains than kappa chains.

Provision 80. The vertebrate of any preceding provision, wherein the vertebrate expresses no endogenous kappa chains.

Provision 81. The vertebrate of any preceding provision, wherein endogenous kappa chain expression is substantially inactive.

Provision 82. The vertebrate of provision 81, wherein the endogenous kappa chain expression is completely inactive.

Provision 83. The vertebrate of any preceding provision, wherein the vertebrate expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains.

Provision 84. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the targeted insert includes a human lambda enhancer (Eλ) sequence and wherein the Eλ sequence is positioned in said endogenous light chain locus.

Provision 85. The vertebrate or cell of provision 84, wherein the Eλ sequence is positioned downstream to a 3′-most downstream Cλ region that is included in the targeted insert.

Provision 86. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein at least human JC gene segments Jλ1-Cλ1, Jλ2-Cλ2, Jλ3-Cλ3, Jλ6-Cλ6, and Jλ7-Cλ7 are included in the targeted insert.

Provision 87. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the human gene segments included in the targeted insert are in germline configuration.

Provision 88. The vertebrate or cell of provision 87, wherein the targeted insertion comprises inter-gene segment sequences of a human light chain locus or inter-gene segment sequences of an endogenous light chain locus.

Provision 89. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein an endogenous light chain enhancer remains in the endogenous locus.

Provision 90. The vertebrate or cell of provision 89, wherein the endogenous enhancer is in germline configuration.

Provision 91. The vertebrate or cell of provision 90, wherein the endogenous locus is a kappa locus.

Provision 92. The vertebrate or cell of provision 90, wherein the endogenous kappa enhancer is present.

Provision 93. The vertebrate or cell of provision 92, wherein the endogenous enhancer is an iEκ and/or 3′ Eκ sequence.

Provision 94. The vertebrate or cell of provision 90, wherein the germline configuration is with respect to an endogenous light chain constant region.

Provision 95. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the genome is heterozygous for the targeted insert.

Provision 96. The vertebrate or cell of provision 95, wherein the targeted insert comprises human V and J or human V, J, and C light chain gene segments.

Provision 97. The vertebrate or cell of provision 96, wherein the targeted insert is positioned in an endogenous light chain lambda locus.

Provision 98. The vertebrate or cell of provision 96, wherein the targeted insert is positioned in an endogenous light chain kappa locus.

Provision 99. The vertebrate or cell of provision 98, wherein the endogenous kappa enhancer is present and is an iEκ and/or 3′ Eκ sequence.

Provision 100. The vertebrate of provision 95, wherein the vertebrate is derived from a mouse ES cell or a rat ES cell.

Provision 101. The vertebrate of provision 95, wherein the vertebrate is a mouse or a rat.

Provision 102. The vertebrate or cell of provision 95, wherein the genome comprises a first targeted insert comprising a human lambda gene segment and a second targeted insert comprising human kappa immunoglobulin V and J gene segments, wherein the first targeted insert is positioned in a first endogenous kappa locus and wherein the second targeted insert is positioned in a second endogenous kappa locus and upstream to an endogenous kappa constant region.

Provision 103. The vertebrate or cell of provision 102, wherein an endogenous kappa light chain enhancer is present in the first and/or second endogenous kappa locus.

Provision 104. The vertebrate or cell of provision 103, wherein the endogenous kappa loci are optionally in germline configuration.

Provision 105. The vertebrate or cell of provision 95, wherein the genome comprises a first targeted insert comprising a human lambda gene segment and a second targeted insert comprising human kappa immunoglobulin V and J gene segments, wherein the first targeted insert is positioned in a first endogenous lambda locus and wherein the second targeted insert is positioned in a second endogenous lambda locus and upstream to an endogenous lambda constant region.

Provision 106. The vertebrate or cell of provision 105, wherein an endogenous lambda light chain enhancer is present in the first and/or second endogenous lambda locus.

Provision 106. The vertebrate or cell of provision 105, wherein the endogenous kappa loci are optionally in germline configuration.

Provision 107. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the genome is homozygous for a targeted insert comprising a human lambda gene segment and positioned in the endogenous immunoglobulin light chain locus.

Provision 108. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the genome comprises two or more targeted inserts comprising human lambda gene segments and positioned in the endogenous kappa and/or lambda locus.

Provision 109. The vertebrate or cell of provision 108, wherein the genome is homozygous for a first targeted insert comprising a human lambda gene segment and positioned in each endogenous lambda locus, wherein the vertebrate or cell expresses lambda light chains comprising human lambda variable regions;

-   -   wherein a second targeted insert comprising a human lambda gene         segment is positioned in a first endogenous kappa locus,     -   wherein a third targeted insert comprising a plurality of human         Vκ and Jκ gene segments is positioned upstream to an endogenous         Cκ gene segment in a second endogenous kappa locus, and     -   wherein the vertebrate or cell expresses kappa light chains         comprising human kappa variable regions.

Provision 110. The vertebrate or cell of provision 108, wherein the targeted inserts comprising a lambda gene segment is positioned in the endogenous kappa and lambda loci comprise the same repertoire of human lambda gene segments.

Provision 111. The vertebrate or cell of provision 109, wherein the first and second targeted inserts comprise the same repertoire of human lambda gene segments.

Provision 112. The vertebrate or cell of provision 108, wherein the targeted inserts comprising a lambda gene segment is positioned in the kappa loci and the targeted inserts positioned in the lambda loci comprise a different repertoire of human lambda gene segments.

Provision 113. The vertebrate or cell of provision 109, wherein the first and second targeted inserts comprise a different repertoire of human lambda gene segments.

Provision 114. A non-human vertebrate or cell having a genome comprising one or more first and/or second targeted inserts positioned in at least one endogenous immunoglobulin locus, wherein the one or more first and/or second targeted inserts each comprise a repertoire of human immunoglobulin gene segments, the genome comprising one of the following light chain loci arrangements:

-   -   (a) an L positioned in a first endogenous kappa chain locus and         a K positioned in a second endogenous kappa chain locus;     -   (b) an L positioned in a first endogenous lambda chain locus and         a K positioned in a second endogenous lambda chain allele;     -   (c) an L positioned in each endogenous kappa chain loci;     -   (d) an L positioned in each endogenous lambda chain loci;     -   (e) an L positioned in a first endogenous kappa chain locus and         with a second endogenous kappa chain locus is inactive; or     -   (f) an L positioned in a first endogenous lambda chain locus and         with a second endogenous lambda chain locus is inactive;     -   wherein an L represents a first targeted insert comprising at         least functional human Vλ and Jλ gene segments from Vλ3-1 to Cλ7         comprised by a human lambda chain immunoglobulin locus;         wherein     -   a K represents a second targeted insert comprising human Vκ and         Jκ gene segments; and     -   wherein each L or K is positioned upstream to a constant region,         thereby allowing expression of light chains comprising human V         regions derived from recombination of human V and J gene         segments.

Provision 115. The vertebrate of provision 114, wherein the vertebrate is derived from a mouse ES cell or a rat ES cell.

Provision 116. The vertebrate of provision 114, wherein the vertebrate is a mouse or a rat.

Provision 117. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein L further comprises a human Cλ region

Provision 118. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein the L comprises functional human lambda chain immunoglobulin gene segments from Vλ2-18 to Cλ7.

Provision 119. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein the genome comprises one of the following light chain loci arrangements:

-   -   (a) and an L positioned in the first or in the first and second         endogenous lambda chain loci;     -   (a) and a K positioned in the first or in the first and second         endogenous lambda chain loci;     -   (a) and an L positioned in the first endogenous lambda chain         locus and a K positioned in the second endogenous lambda chain         locus;     -   (b) and an L positioned in the first or in the first and second         endogenous kappa chain loci;     -   (b) and a K positioned in the first or in the first and second         endogenous kappa chain loci;     -   (b) and an L positioned in the first endogenous kappa chain         locus and a K positioned in the second endogenous kappa chain         locus;     -   (c) and a K positioned in the first or in the first and second         endogenous lambda chain loci;     -   (c) and an L positioned in the first or in the first and second         endogenous lambda chain loci;     -   (c) and an L positioned in the first endogenous lambda chain         locus and a K positioned in the second endogenous lambda chain         locus;     -   (c) and with the first and second endogenous lambda chain loci         is inactive;     -   (d) and an L positioned in the first or in the first and second         endogenous kappa chain loci;     -   (d) and a K positioned in the first or in the first and second         endogenous kappa chain loci;     -   (d) and an L positioned in the first endogenous kappa chain         locus and a K positioned in the second endogenous kappa chain         locus; or     -   (d) and with the first and second endogenous kappa chain loci is         inactive.

Provision 120. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein endogenous kappa chain expression is substantially inactive.

Provision 121. The vertebrate or cell of provision 120, wherein the endogenous kappa chain expression is completely inactive.

Provision 122. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein endogenous lambda chain expression is substantially inactive.

Provision 123. The vertebrate or cell of provision 122, wherein the endogenous lambda chain expression is completely inactive.

Provision 124. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein one or more L's are positioned upstream to an endogenous lambda or kappa constant region.

Provision 125. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein one or more L's positioned in a lambda locus is positioned upstream to an endogenous lambda constant region.

Provision 126. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein one or more L's positioned in a kappa locus is positioned upstream to an endogenous kappa constant region.

Provision 127. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein each L positioned in a lambda locus is positioned upstream to a human lambda constant region.

Provision 128. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein each L positioned in a kappa locus is positioned upstream to a human kappa constant region.

Provision 129. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein one or more K's are positioned upstream to an endogenous lambda or kappa constant region.

Provision 130. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein one or more K's positioned in a lambda locus is positioned upstream to an endogenous lambda constant region.

Provision 131. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein each K positioned in a kappa locus is positioned upstream to an endogenous kappa constant region.

Provision 132. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein each K positioned in a lambda locus is positioned upstream to a human lambda constant region.

Provision 133. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein each K positioned in a kappa locus is positioned upstream to a human kappa constant region.

Provision 134. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein the genome comprises more than one L and each L comprises a different repertoire of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments.

Provision 135. The vertebrate or cell of provision 134, wherein the genome comprises two L's.

Provision 136. The vertebrate or cell of provision 134, wherein the genome comprises three L's.

Provision 137. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein the genome comprises more than one L and each L comprises a different repertoire of human Vλ, Jλ, and Cλ gene segments.

Provision 138. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein the genome comprises more than one K and each K comprises a different repertoire of human Vκ and Jκ gene segments.

Provision 139. The vertebrate or cell of provision 138, wherein the genome comprises two L's.

Provision 140. The vertebrate or cell of provision 138, wherein the genome comprises three K's.

Provision 141. The vertebrate or cell of provision 114, wherein the genome comprises more than one L and each L comprises a different repertoire of human Vκ, Jκ, and Cκ gene segments.

Provision 141a. The vertebrate of provision 114, wherein the vertebrate is derived from a mouse ES cell or a rat ES cell.

Provision 142. The vertebrate or cell of any preceding provision, wherein the genome comprises an immunoglobulin heavy chain locus comprising human VH gene segments.

Provision 143. A method for producing an antibody or light chain comprising a lambda variable region specific to a desired antigen, the method comprising immunizing a vertebrate according to any preceding provision with the desired antigen and recovering the antibody or light chain or recovering a cell producing the antibody or light chain.

Provision 144. The method of provision 143, further comprising a step of replacing the non-human vertebrate constant region with a human constant region thereby producing a humanised antibody or antibody light chain.

Provision 145. The method of provision 144, wherein the humanised antibody or antibody light chain is produced by engineering a nucleic acid encoding the fully humanised antibody or light chain.

Provision 146. A humanised antibody or antibody light chain produced by the method of provision 143.

Provision 147. A derivative of the humanised antibody or antibody light chain of provision 146.

Provision 148. A pharmaceutically composition comprising the humanised antibody or antibody light chain produced by the method of provision 143 a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent.

Provision 149. A method for inactivating endogenous IgK-VJ gene segments in a genome of a non-human vertebrate or cell, the method comprises positioning in the genome a targeted insert comprising human immunoglobulin gene segments, wherein the targeted insert is positioned between an endogenous IgK-VJ gene segment and Eκ enhancer sequence which increases the physical distance between the endogenous IgK-VJ and the Eκ enhancer, thereby inactivating the endogenous IgK-VJ gene segments.

Provision 150. The method of provision 149, wherein the non-human vertebrate is a mouse or rat.

Provision 150a. The method of provision 148, wherein the vertebrate developed from a mouse ES cell or a rat ES cell.

Provision 151. The method of provision 149, wherein the cell is a mouse cell or a rat cell.

Provision 152. The method of provision 149, wherein the human immunoglobulin gene segments comprise human VL and JL gene segments.

Provision 153. The method of provision 152, wherein human VL and JL gene segments comprise human Vλ and Jλ gene segments and/or human Vκ and Jκ gene segments.

Provision 154. A method for obtaining a pool of immunoglobulin light chains wherein at least 80% of the immunoglobulin light chains comprise human Vλ and Jλ regions, the method comprising providing the vertebrate or cell of provision 1 and isolating a sample comprising the immunoglobulin light chains.

Provision 154a. The method of provision 154, further comprising a step of isolating the immunoglobulin light chains from the sample.

Provision 154b. The method of provision 154a, wherein the sample is serum, spleen, thymus, lymph node, or appendix.

Provision 154c. The method of provision 154b wherein the spleen comprises splenic tissue containing B-cells.

Provision 154d. The method of provision 154c, further comprising a step of isolating B-cells from splenic tissue.

Provision 155. The method of provision 154, wherein the immunoglobulin light chains are included in antibodies or antibody fragments.

Provision 156. An antibody or antibody fragment isolated in the method of provision 155.

Provision 156a. A derivative of the antibody or antibody fragment of provision 156.

Provision 157. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody or antibody fragment of provision 156 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent.

Provision 158. The method of provision 154, comprising a step of immunizing the vertebrate with an antigen before the step of isolating a sample comprising the immunoglobulin light chains.

Provision 159. A method for obtaining a pool of immunoglobulin light chains wherein at least 60% of the immunoglobulin light chains comprise human lambda light chains, the method comprising providing the vertebrate or cell of provision 19 and isolating a sample comprising the immunoglobulin light chains.

Provision 159a. The method of provision 159, further comprising a step of isolating the immunoglobulin light chains from the sample.

Provision 159b. The method of provision 159a, wherein the sample is serum, spleen, thymus, lymph node, or appendix.

Provision 159c. The method of provision 159b wherein the spleen comprises splenic tissue containing B-cells.

Provision 159d. The method of provision 159c, further comprising a step of isolating B-cells from splenic tissue.

Provision 160. The method of provision 159, wherein the immunoglobulin light chains are included in antibodies or antibody fragments.

Provision 161. An antibody or antibody fragment isolated in the method of provision 160.

Provision 161a. A derivative of the antibody or antibody fragment of provision 161.

Provision 162. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody or antibody fragment of provision 161 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent.

Provision 163. The method of provision 159, comprising a step of immunizing the vertebrate with an antigen before the step of isolating a sample comprising the immunoglobulin light chains.

Provision 164. A method for expressing human immunoglobulin VJC light chains in a non-human vertebrate, the method comprising

-   -   providing the vertebrate or cell of provision 40 and     -   isolating a sample comprising the immunoglobulin VJC light         chains.

Provision 164a. The method of provision 164, wherein the non-human vertebrate develops from an ES cell.

Provision 164a. The method of provision 164, further comprising a step of isolating the immunoglobulin light chains from the sample.

Provision 164b. The method of provision 164a, wherein the sample is serum, spleen, thymus, lymph node, or appendix.

Provision 164c. The method of provision 164b wherein the spleen comprises splenic tissue containing B-cells.

Provision 164d. The method of provision 164c, further comprising a step of isolating B-cells from splenic tissue.

Provision 165. The method of provision 164, wherein the immunoglobulin VJC light chains are included in antibodies or antibody fragments.

Provision 166. An antibody or antibody fragment isolated in the method of provision 165.

Provision 166a. A derivative of the antibody or antibody fragment of provision 166.

Provision 167. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody or antibody fragment of provision 166 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or diluent.

Provision 168. The method of provision 164, comprising a step of immunizing the vertebrate with an antigen before the step of isolating a sample comprising the immunoglobulin VJC light chains.

Provision 169. The method of provision 164, wherein the vertebrate developed from a mouse ES cell or a rat ES cell.

Provision 39N. A non-human vertebrate having a genome comprising a recombinant immunoglobulin light chain locus, said locus comprising a targeted insert positioned in an endogenous light chain locus,

-   -   wherein the targeted insert comprises human lambda light chain         locus DNA and is positioned upstream to a lambda light chain         constant region,     -   wherein said targeted insert includes a repertoire of human Vλ         and Jλ gene segments,     -   wherein the vertebrate expresses immunoglobulin light chains         comprising human lambda variable regions, and     -   wherein at least 80% of the immunoglobulin light chains that         comprise lambda variable regions expressed in said vertebrate         comprises human lambda variable regions.

Provision 40N. A non-human vertebrate having a genome comprising a recombinant immunoglobulin light chain locus, said locus comprising a targeted insert positioned in an endogenous light chain locus,

-   -   wherein the targeted insert comprises human lambda light chain         locus DNA which is positioned upstream to a lambda light chain         constant region and includes a repertoire of human Vλ and Jλ         gene segments,     -   wherein said genome comprises kappa V gene segments positioned         upstream to a light chain constant region,     -   wherein the vertebrate expresses immunoglobulin light chains         comprising lambda variable regions, and     -   wherein at least 60% of immunoglobulin light chains expressed by         said vertebrate comprises human lambda variable regions.

Provision 47N. A method for obtaining a pool of immunoglobulin light chains wherein at least 80% of the immunoglobulin light chains comprise human Vλ and Jλ regions, the method comprising

-   -   providing the vertebrate or cell of provision 39N and     -   isolating a sample comprising the immunoglobulin light chains.

Provision 48N. A method for obtaining a pool of immunoglobulin light chains wherein at least 60% of the immunoglobulin light chains comprise human lambda light chains, the method comprising

-   -   providing the vertebrate or cell of provision 40N and     -   isolating a sample comprising the immunoglobulin light chains.

Provision 49N. A method for obtaining an immunoglobulin light chain comprising a human lambda variable region from a pool of immunoglobulin light chains, the method comprising

-   -   providing the vertebrate or cell of provision 40N, thereby         providing pool of immunoglobulin light chains wherein at least         60% of the immunoglobulin light chains comprise human lambda         variable regions and     -   isolating one or more immunoglobulin light chains from the pool,         wherein each isolated immunoglobulin light chain comprises a         human lambda variable region.

Provision 50N. A method for obtaining an immunoglobulin light chain comprising a human lambda variable region from a pool of immunoglobulin light chains, the method comprising

-   -   selecting a mouse that expresses immunoglobulin lambda light         chains containing human variable regions,     -   wherein the mouse comprises a targeted insert positioned         upstream to a light chain constant region,     -   wherein the targeted insert comprises human immunoglobulin Vλ         and Jλ gene segments,     -   wherein at least 80% of the immunoglobulin light chains that         comprise lambda variable regions expressed in said vertebrate         comprises human lambda variable regions,     -   wherein endogenous kappa and lambda chain expression is         substantially inactive, collecting serum from said mouse; and     -   isolating one or more immunoglobulin light chains from the         collected serum, wherein each isolated immunoglobulin light         chain comprises a human lambda variable region.

Provision 51N. A method for obtaining an immunoglobulin light chain comprising a human lambda variable region from a pool of immunoglobulin light chains, the method comprising

-   -   selecting a mouse that expresses immunoglobulin lambda light         chains containing human variable regions,     -   wherein the mouse comprises a targeted insert positioned         upstream to a light chain constant region,     -   wherein the targeted insert comprises human immunoglobulin Vλ         and Jλ gene segments,     -   wherein at least 60% of immunoglobulin light chains expressed by         said vertebrate comprises human lambda variable regions,     -   wherein endogenous kappa and lambda chain expression is         substantially inactive, collecting serum from said mouse; and     -   isolating one or more immunoglobulin light chains from the         collected serum, wherein each isolated immunoglobulin light         chain comprises a human lambda variable region.

Provision 52N. A method for obtaining an immunoglobulin light chain comprising a human lambda variable region from a pool of immunoglobulin light chains, the method comprising

-   -   selecting a mouse that expresses immunoglobulin lambda light         chains containing human variable regions,     -   wherein the mouse comprises a targeted insert positioned         upstream to a light chain constant region,     -   wherein the targeted insert comprises human immunoglobulin Vλ         and Jλ gene segments,     -   wherein at least 80% of the immunoglobulin light chains that         comprise lambda variable regions expressed in said vertebrate         comprises human lambda variable regions,     -   wherein at least 60% of immunoglobulin light chains expressed by         said vertebrate comprises human lambda variable regions,     -   wherein endogenous kappa and lambda chain expression is         substantially inactive, collecting serum from said mouse; and     -   isolating one or more immunoglobulin light chains from the         collected serum, wherein each isolated immunoglobulin light         chain comprises a human lambda variable region.

The following definitions apply to any configuration, aspect, provision, clause, attribute, example or embodiment of the invention.

“Derived from” is used in the ordinary sense of the term. Exemplary synonyms include “produced as”, “resulting from”, “received from”, “obtained from”, “a product of”, “consequence of”, and “modified from” For example, a human variable region of a heavy chain can be derived from recombination of human VH, D and JH gene segments and this reflects the in vivo recombination of these gene segments in, for example, a transgenic heavy chain locus according to the invention with any accompanying mutation (eg, junctional mutation).

Samples from which B-cells can be obtained include but are not limited to blood, serum, spleen, splenic tissue, bone marrow, lymph, lymph node, thymus, and appendix. Antibodies and immunoglobulin chains can be obtained form each of the previous-mentioned samples and also from the following non-limiting list of B-cells, ascites fluid, hybridomas, and cell cultures.

“Plurality” is used in the ordinary sense of the term and means “at least one” or “more than one”.

The term “germline configuration” refers to a germline genomic configuration. For example, human immunoglobulin gene segments of a transgenic immunoglobulin locus are in a germline configuration when the relative order of the gene segments is the same as the order of corresponding gene segments in a human germline genome. For example, when the transgenic locus is a heavy chain locus of the invention comprising hypothetical human immunoglobulin gene segments A, B and C, these would be provided in this order (5′ to 3′ in the locus) when the corresponding gene segments of a human germline genome comprises the arrangement 5′-A-B-C-3′. In an example, when elements of a human immunoglobulin locus (eg, gene segments, enhancers or other regulatory elements) are provided in a transgenic immunoglobulin locus according to the invention, the human Ig locus elements are in germline configuration when the relative order of the gene segments is the same as the order of corresponding gene segments in a human germline genome and human sequences between the elements are included, these corresponding to such sequences between corresponding elements in the human germline genome. Thus, in a hypothetical example the transgenic locus comprises human elements in the arrangement 5′-A-S1-B-S2-C-S3-3′, wherein A, B and C are human immunoglobulin gene segments and S1-S3 are human inter-gene segment sequences, wherein the corresponding arrangement 5′-A-S1-B-S2-C-S3-3′ is present in a human germline genome. For example, this can be achieved by providing in a transgenic immunoglobulin locus of the invention a DNA insert corresponding to the DNA sequence from A to C in a human germline genome (or the insert comprising the DNA sequence from A to C). The arrangements in human germline genomes and immunoglobulin loci are known in the art (eg, see the IMGT at the World Wide Web (see above), Kabat and other antibody resources referenced herein).

The term “antibody” includes monoclonal antibodies (including full length antibodies which have an immunoglobulin Fc region), antibody compositions with polyepitopic specificity, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies, diabodies, and single-chain molecules, as well as antibody fragments (e.g., dAb, Fab, F(ab′)2, and Fv). The term “antibody” also includes H2 antibodies that comprise a dimer of a heavy chain (5′-VH-(optional Hinge)-CH2-CH3-3′) and are devoid of a light chain (akin to naturally-occurring H2 antibodies; see, eg, Nature. 1993 Jun. 3; 363(6428):446-8; Naturally occurring antibodies devoid of light chains; Hamers-Casterman C, Atarhouch T, Muyldermans S, Robinson G, Hamers C, Songa E B, Bendahman N, Hamers R). Thus, in an embodiment of the present invention, RNA produced from the transgenic heavy chain locus encodes for heavy chains that re devoid of a CH1 gene segment and comprise no functional antibody light chain. In an example, RNA produced from the transgenic heavy chain locus encodes for VH single variable domains (dAbs; domain antibodies). These can optionally comprise a constant region.

The term “immunoglobulin” (Ig) is used interchangeably with “antibody” herein.

An “isolated” antibody is one that has been identified, separated and/or recovered from a component of its production environment (e.g., naturally or recombinantly). Preferably, the isolated polypeptide is free of association with all other components from its production environment, eg, so that the antibody has been isolated to an FDA-approvable or approved standard. Contaminant components of its production environment, such as that resulting from recombinant transfected cells, are materials that would typically interfere with research, diagnostic or therapeutic uses for the antibody, and may include enzymes, hormones, and other proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous solutes. In preferred embodiments, the polypeptide will be purified: (1) to greater than 95% by weight of antibody as determined by, for example, the Lowry method, and in some embodiments, to greater than 99% by weight; (2) to a degree sufficient to obtain at least 15 residues of N-terminal or internal amino acid sequence by use of a spinning cup sequenator, or (3) to homogeneity by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing or reducing conditions using Coomassie blue or, preferably, silver stain. Isolated antibody includes the antibody in situ within recombinant cells since at least one component of the antibody's natural environment will not be present. Ordinarily, however, an isolated polypeptide or antibody will be prepared by at least one purification step.

An “antibody fragment” comprises a portion of an intact antibody, preferably the antigen binding and/or the variable region of the intact antibody. Examples of antibody fragments include dAb, Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)2 and Fv fragments; diabodies; linear antibodies; single-chain antibody molecules and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.

An antibody that “specifically binds to” or is “specific for” a particular polypeptide, antigen, or epitope is one that binds to that particular polypeptide, antigen, or epitope without substantially binding to other polypeptides, antigens or epitopes. For example, binding to the antigen or epitope is specific when the antibody binds with a K_(D) of 100 μM or less, 10 μM or less, 1 μM or less, 100 nM or less, eg, 10 nM or less, 1 nM or less, 500 μM or less, 100 μM or less, or 10 μM or less. The binding affinity (K_(D)) can be determined using standard procedures as will be known by the skilled person, eg, binding in ELISA and/or affinity determination using surface plasmon resonance (eg, Biacore™ or KinExA™ solution phase affinity measurement which can detect down to fM affinities (Sapidyne Instruments, Idaho)). “Pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to approved or approvable by a regulatory agency of the USA Federal or a state government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia or other generally recognized pharmacopeia for use in animals, including humans. A “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient, or adjuvant” refers to an carrier, excipient, or adjuvant that can be administered to a subject, together with an agent, e.g., any antibody or antibody chain described herein, and which does not destroy the pharmacological activity thereof and is nontoxic when administered in doses sufficient to deliver a therapeutic amount of the agent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1-8 show an iterative process for insertion of a series of human BACs into a mouse Ig locus

FIGS. 9-18 show in more detail the process of FIGS. 1-8 for the IgH and kappa locus

FIGS. 19 and 20 show the principles behind antibody generation in chimaeric mice

FIG. 21 shows a possible insertion site for the human DNA in a mouse chromosome

FIGS. 22-26 disclose an alternative iterative process for insertion of a series of human BACs into a mouse Ig locus

FIGS. 27-29 illustrate a mechanism for inversion of the host VDJ region

FIG. 30 illustrates proof of principle for insertion of a plasmid using an RMCE approach

FIG. 31 illustrates sequential RMCE—Integration into Landing Pad

FIG. 32 illustrates confirmation of Successful Insertion into Landing Pad

FIG. 33 illustrates PCR Confirmation of 3′ End Curing

FIG. 34 illustrates insertion of BAC#1 and PCR Diagnostics

FIG. 35 illustrates JH and JK usage

FIG. 36 illustrates DH usage

FIG. 37 illustrates the distribution of CDR-H3 length in human VDJCμ transcripts from chimera mice

FIG. 38 illustrates the distribution of nucleotide numbers of deletion and insertion in IGH-VDI or IGK-VJ junctions

FIG. 39 illustrates Distribution of JH Usage Within Each VHs

FIGS. 40A and 40B illustrate Distribution of DH Usage Within Each VHs

FIG. 41A illustrates Nucleotide Gain or Loss at VJ Joints Generates IGK Variants; lines 1, 2-3, 4-7, 8-11, 12-17, 18-19 correspond to SEQ ID NOS: 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, respectively.

FIG. 41B illustrates amino acid sequences of IGK Variants, lines 2-5 (E6, F5, G6), 7-10 (E2), 12-15 (E10, G8), 17-20 (F3, F12), 22-25 (H1) correspond to SEQ ID NOS: 75-79, respectively.

FIG. 42A illustrates Hypermutaion in J Regions Generates IGK Variants; lines 1, 2-11, 12-15, 16-19 correspond to SEQ ID NOS: 80-83, respectively.

FIG. 42B illustrates IGK Variants, lines 2-4, 7-9, 12-14 correspond to SEQ ID NOS: 84-86, respectively.

FIG. 43 illustrates Joint Diversity Produces Functional CDS; lines 2-4 (V1-5_J1_Ck), lines 6-8 (H12), lines 10-12 (V1-5_J4_Ck), lines 14-16 (E1), lines 18-20 (E2), lines 22-24 (E8) correspond to SEQ ID NOS: 87-92, respectively.

FIG. 44 illustrates a plot of identity of J_(H) gene segment use a 5′-RACE Cμ-specific library generated from the splenic B lymphocytes of transgenic mice according to the invention in which endogenous gene segment use has been inactivated by inversion

FIG. 45 illustrates the ratio of mouse V_(H) to human V_(H) usage as determined from antibody sequences from splenic B lymphocytes of transgenic mice according to the invention in which endogenous gene segment use has been inactivated by inversion

FIG. 46 illustrates inversion strategy schematic

FIG. 47 illustrates targeting construct R57 for inversion

FIG. 48 illustrates sequence analysis from a Cμ-specific 5′-RACE library of splenic B lymphocytes of S1^(inv1) (one human IGH BAC (ie, multiple human VH, all functional human D and JH) with an inverted endogenous IGH locus) mouse shows that practically all the transcripts came from rearranged human V_(H)-D-J_(H) gene segments

FIG. 49 illustrates that the S1^(inv1) mouse shows a similar usage of both D and J_(H) gene segments to human

FIG. 50 illustrates that mouse V_(H) usage is further significantly reduced following insertion of the 2^(nd) human BAC into the endogenous heavy chain locus

FIG. 51 illustrates a gel showing that normal class-switching (to IgG-type) was observed in transcripts from mice of the invention. The rearranged transcripts were detected using RT-PCR with human VH-specific and mouse Cγ-specific primers for amplification from peripheral blood cells of immunized transgenic mice

FIG. 52 illustrates sequence analysis amplified fragments demonstrate hypermutation occurred within the human variable regions of these IGγ chains from mice of the invention; lines 1-12 correspond to SEQ ID NOS: 93-104, respectively.

FIG. 53 illustrates Flow cytometric analysis showing normal B-cell compartments in transgenic mice of the invention

FIGS. 54A-54D illustrate normal IgH isotypes in transgenic mice (H1) immunised with 100 μg Cholera Toxin B subunit. FIGS. 54E-54H illustrate normal IgH isotypes in transgenic mice (S1) immunised with 100 μg Cholera Toxin B subunit.

FIGS. 55A and 55B illustrate normal IgH isotypes and serum levels are obtained in transgenic H1 and S1 animals, respectively, of the invention following immunisation with antigens.

FIG. 56, part 1 illustrates the first and second BACs used for insertion into mouse endogenous light chain loci. The human DNA in each BAC is shown. Part 2 of FIG. 56 shows the insertion point of human lambda Ig locus DNA into the mouse endogenous kappa chain locus. Part 3 of FIG. 56 shows the insertion point of human lambda Ig locus DNA into the mouse endogenous lambda chain locus.

FIG. 57 shows the results of FACS analysis to determine mouse and human Cλ expression (and thus correspondingly mouse and human variable region expression) in B220⁺ splenic B cells from P1 homozygous mice (P1/P1) compared to wild-type mice (WT).

FIG. 58A shows the results of FACS analysis to determine mouse Cκ and Cλ expression in B220⁺ splenic B cells from P2 homozygous mice (P2/P2) compared to wild-type mice (WT). No detectable mouse Cκ expression was seen.

FIG. 58B shows the results of FACS analysis to determine human Cλ expression (and thus correspondingly human variable region expression) in B220⁺ splenic B cells from P2 homozygous mice (P2/P2) compared to wild-type mice (WT).

FIG. 59 shows human Vλ usage in P2 homozygous mice (P2/P2) and typical Vλ usage in humans (inset)

FIG. 60 shows human Jλ usage in P2 homozygous mice (P2/P2) and typical Jλ usage in humans (inset)

FIG. 61 shows Vλ usage is very high in P2 homozygous mice (P2/P2).

FIG. 62 shows the distribution of mouse Vκ and human Vλ gene segment usage from the chimaeric kappa locus in P2 homozygous mice (P2/P2).

FIG. 63 illustrates RSS arrangement in the lambda and kappa loci.

FIG. 64A shows the results of FACS analysis to determine mouse and human Cλ expression (and thus correspondingly mouse and human variable region expression) in B220⁺ splenic B cells from L2 homozygous mice in which endogenous kappa chain expression has been inactivated (L2/L2; KA/KA) compared to mice having no human lambda DNA inserted and in which endogenous kappa chain expression has been inactivated (KA/KA). Very high human Vλ usage was seen in the L2/L2; KA/KA) mice, almost to the exclusion of mouse Vλ use.

FIG. 64B: Splenic B-Cell Compartment Analysis. This figure shows the results of FACS analysis on splenic B-cells from transgenic L2/L2; KA/KA mice (L2 homozygotes; homozygous for human lambda gene segment insertion into endogenous lambda loci; endogenous kappa chain expression having been inactivated) compared with splenic B-cells from mice expressing only mouse antibodies (KA/KA mice). The results show that the splenic B-cell compartments in the mice of the invention are normal (ie, equivalent to the compartments of mice expressing only mouse antibody chains).

FIG. 65: B-cell development and markers in the bone marrow and splenic compartments.

FIG. 66A: Splenic B-Cell Compartment Analysis. This figure shows the results of FACS analysis on splenic B-cells from transgenic S1F/HA, KA/+ mice of the invention expressing heavy chain variable regions which are all human (where endogenous heavy chain expression has been inactivated by inversion), compared with splenic B-cells from mice expressing only mouse antibodies. The results show that the splenic B-cell compartments in the mice of the invention are normal (ie, equivalent to the compartments of mice expressing only mouse antibody chains).

-   -   S1F/HA, +/KA=(i) S1F—first endogenous heavy chain allele has one         human heavy chain locus DNA insertion, endogenous mouse VDJ         region has been inactivated by inversion and movement upstream         on the chromosome; (ii) HA—second endogenous heavy chain allele         has been inactivated (by insertion of an endogenous interrupting         sequence); (iii)+—first endogenous kappa allele is a wild-type         kappa allele; and (iv) KA—the second endogenous kappa allele has         been inactivated (by insertion of an endogenous interrupting         sequence). This arrangement encodes exclusively for heavy chains         from the first endogenous heavy chain allele.

FIG. 66B: Splenic B-Cell Compartment Analysis. This figure shows the results of FACS analysis on splenic B-cells from transgenic S1F/HA, K2/KA mice of the invention expressing heavy chain variable regions which are all human (where endogenous heavy chain expression has been inactivated by inversion) and human kappa chain variable regions, compared with splenic B-cells from +/HA, K2/KA mice. The results show that the splenic B-cell compartments in the mice of the invention are normal.

-   -   S1F/HA, K2/KA=(i) K2—the first endogenous kappa allele has two         kappa chain locus DNA insertions between the most 3′ endogenous         Jκ and the mouse Cκ, providing an insertion of 14 human Vκ and         Jκ1-Jκ5; and (ii) KA—the second endogenous kappa allele has been         inactivated (by insertion of an endogenous interrupting         sequence). This arrangement encodes exclusively for heavy chains         comprising human variable regions and substantially kappa light         chains from the first endogenous kappa allele.     -   +/HA, K2/KA—this arrangement encodes for mouse heavy chains and         human kappa chains.

FIG. 67A-B: Bone marrow B progenitor compartment analysis. This figure shows the results of FACS analysis on bone marrow (BM) B-cells from transgenic S1F/HA, KA/+ mice of the invention expressing heavy chain variable regions which are all human (where endogenous heavy chain expression has been inactivated by inversion), compared with BM B-cells from mice expressing only mouse antibodies. The results show that the BM B-cell compartments in the mice of the invention are normal (ie, equivalent to the compartments of mice expressing only mouse antibody chains).

FIG. 67C-D: Bone marrow B progenitor compartment analysis. This figure shows the results of FACS analysis on bone marrow (BM) B-cells from transgenic S1F/HA, K2/KA mice of the invention expressing heavy chain variable regions which are all human (where endogenous heavy chain expression has been inactivated by inversion) and human kappa chain variable regions, compared with BM B-cells from +/HA, K2/KA mice. The results show that the BM B-cell compartments in the mice of the invention are normal.

FIG. 68: shows Ig quantification for subtype and total Ig in various mice:

S1F/HA, KA/+=(i) S1F—first endogenous heavy chain allele has one human heavy chain locus DNA insertion, endogenous mouse VDJ region has been inactivated by inversion and movement upstream on the chromosome; (ii) HA—second endogenous heavy chain allele has been inactivated (by insertion of an endogenous interrupting sequence); (iii) KA—the first endogenous kappa allele has been inactivated (by insertion of an endogenous interrupting sequence); and (iv)+—second endogenous kappa allele is a wild-type kappa allele. This arrangement encodes exclusively for heavy chains from the first endogenous heavy chain allele.

-   -   S1F/HA, K2/KA=(i) K2—the first endogenous kappa allele has two         kappa chain locus DNA insertions between the most 3′ endogenous         Jκ and the mouse Cκ, providing an insertion of 14 human Vκ and         Jκ1-Jκ5; and (ii) KA—the second endogenous kappa allele has been         inactivated (by insertion of an endogenous interrupting         sequence). This arrangement encodes exclusively for heavy chains         comprising human variable regions and substantially kappa light         chains from the first endogenous kappa allele.     -   +/HA, K2/+—this arrangement encodes for mouse heavy chains and         both mouse and human kappa chains.     -   +/HA, +/KA—this arrangement encodes for mouse heavy and kappa         chains.

In this figure, “Sum Ig” is the sum of IgG and IgM isotypes.

FIG. 69: shows Ig quantification for subtype and total Ig in various mice:

S1F/HA, K2/KA (n=15) and 12 mice expressing only mouse antibody chains (+/HA, +/KA (n=6) and wild-type mice (WT; n=6)).

SEQUENCES

SEQ ID No 1 is a Rat switch sequence SEQ ID No 2 is a landing pad targeting vector (long version) SEQ ID No 3 is a landing pad targeting vector (shorter version) SEQ ID No 4 is the mouse strain 129 switch SEQ ID No 5 is the mouse strain C57 switch SEQ ID No 6 is the 5′ homology arm of a landing pad SEQ ID No 7 is oligo HV2-5 SEQ ID No 8 is oligo HV4-4 SEQ ID No 9 is oligo HV1-3 SEQ ID No 10 is oligo HV1-2 SEQ ID No 11 is oligo HV6-1 SEQ ID No 12 is oligo Cμ SEQ ID No 13 is oligo KV1-9 SEQ ID No 14 is oligo KV1-8 SEQ ID No 15 is oligo KV1-6 SEQ ID No 16 is oligo KV1-5 SEQ ID No 17 is oligo Cκ SEQ ID Nos 18-20 are rat switch sequences SEQ ID No 21 is X₁X₂ T F G Q, where X₁X₂=PR, RT, or PW SEQ ID No 22 is X₁X₂ T F G Q G T K V E I K R A D A, where X₁X₂=PR, RT, or PW; SEQ ID No 23 is X₃X₄ T F G Q, where X₃X₄=PR or PW SEQ ID No 24 is X₃X₄ T F G Q G T K V E I K R A D A, where X₃X₄=PR or PW

SEQ ID No 25 is Primer E1554 SEQ ID No 26 is Primer E1555 SEQ ID No 27 is Primer ELP1352_Cγ1 SEQ ID No 28 is Primer ELP1353_Cγ2b SEQ ID No 29 is Primer ELP1354_Cγ2a SEQ ID No 30 is Primer ELP1356_VH4-4 SEQ ID No 31 is Primer ELP1357_VH1-2,3 SEQ ID No 32 is Primer ELP1358_VH6-1

SEQ ID No 33 is Primer mlgG1_2 rev SEQ ID No 34 is Primer mlgG2b rev SEQ ID No 35 is Primer mlgG2a_2 rev SEQ ID No 36 is Primer mCH1 unirev SEQ ID No 37 is Primer mCH1 unirev_2 SEQ ID Nos 38-45 are CDRH3 sequences SEQ ID Nos 46-50 is 3, 4, 5, 6 or more (up to 82) repeats of GGGCT SEQ ID NOs 51-55 are heavy chain CDR1 sequences against CTB (cloned and reference) SEQ ID NOs 56-60 are heavy chain CDR2 sequences against CTB (cloned and reference) SEQ ID NOs 61-63 are heavy chain CDR3 sequences against CTB (cloned and reference) SEQ ID NOs 64-68 are J Region sequences against CTB (cloned and reference)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine study, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps

The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, MB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

As a source of antibody gene segment sequences, the skilled person will also be aware of the following available databases and resources (including updates thereof) the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:

The Kabat Database (G. Johnson and T. T. Wu, 2002; World Wide Web (www) kabatdatabase.com). Created by E. A. Kabat and T. T. Wu in 1966, the Kabat database publishes aligned sequences of antibodies, T-cell receptors, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules, and other proteins of immunological interest. A searchable interface is provided by the SeqhuntII

tool, and a range of utilities is available for sequence alignment, sequence subgroup classification, and the generation of variability plots. See also Kabat, E. A., Wu, T. T., Perry, H., Gottesman, K., and Foeller, C. (1991) Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th ed., NIH Publication No. 91-3242, Bethesda, Md., which is incorporated herein by reference, in particular with reference to human gene segments for use in the present invention.

KabatMan (A. C. R. Martin, 2002; World Wide Web (www) bioinf.org.uk/abs/simkab.html). This is a web interface to make simple queries to the Kabat sequence database.

IMGT (the International ImMunoGeneTics Information System®; M.-P. Lefranc, 2002; World Wide Web (www) imgt.cines.fr). IMGT is an integrated information system that specializes in antibodies, T cell receptors, and MHC molecules of all vertebrate species. It provides a common portal to standardized data that include nucleotide and protein sequences, oligonucleotide primers, gene maps, genetic polymorphisms, specificities, and two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) structures. IMGT includes three sequence databases (MGT/LIGM-DB, IMGT/MHC-DB, IMGT/PRIMERDB), one genome database (IMGT/GENE-DB), one 3D structure database (IMGT/3Dstructure-DB), and a range of web resources (“IMGT Marie-Paule page”) and interactive tools.

V-BASE (I. M. Tomlinson, 2002; World Wide Web (www) mrc-cpe.cam.ac.uk/vbase). V-BASE is a comprehensive directory of all human antibody germline variable region sequences compiled from more than one thousand published sequences. It includes a version of the alignment software DNAPLOT (developed by Hans-Helmar Althaus and Werner Müller) that allows the assignment of rearranged antibody V genes to their closest germline gene segments.

Antibodies-Structure and Sequence (A. C. R. Martin, 2002; World Wide Web (www) bioinf.org.uk/abs). This page summarizes useful information on antibody structure and sequence. It provides a query interface to the Kabat antibody sequence data, general information on antibodies, crystal structures, and links to other antibody-related information. It also distributes an automated summary of all antibody structures deposited in the Protein Databank (PDB). Of particular interest is a thorough description and comparison of the various numbering schemes for antibody variable regions.

AAAAA (A Ho's Amazing Atlas of Antibody Anatomy; A. Honegger, 2001; World Wide Web (www) unizh.ch/˜antibody). This resource includes tools for structural analysis, modeling, and engineering. It adopts a unifying scheme for comprehensive structural alignment of antibody and T-cell-receptor sequences, and includes Excel macros for antibody analysis and graphical representation.

WAM (Web Antibody Modeling; N. Whitelegg and A. R. Rees, 2001; World Wide Web (www) antibody.bath.ac.uk). Hosted by the Centre for Protein Analysis and Design at the University of Bath, United Kingdom. Based on the AbM package (formerly marketed by Oxford Molecular) to construct 3D models of antibody Fv sequences using a combination of established theoretical methods, this site also includes the latest antibody structural information.

Mike's Immunoglobulin Structure/Function Page (M. R. Clark, 2001; World Wide Web (www) path.cam.ac.uk/˜mrc7/mikeimages.html) These pages provide educational materials on immunoglobulin structure and function, and are illustrated by many colour images, models, and animations. Additional information is available on antibody humanization and Mike Clark's Therapeutic Antibody Human Homology Project, which aims to correlate clinical efficacy and anti-immunoglobulin responses with variable region sequences of therapeutic antibodies.

The Antibody Resource Page (The Antibody Resource Page, 2000; World Wide Web (www) antibodyresource.com). This site describes itself as the “complete guide to antibody research and suppliers.” Links to amino acid sequencing tools, nucleotide antibody sequencing tools, and hybridoma/cell-culture databases are provided.

Humanization bY Design (J. Saldanha, 2000; World Wide Web (www) people.cryst.bbk.ac.uk/˜ubcg07s). This resource provides an overview on antibody humanization technology. The most useful feature is a searchable database (by sequence and text) of more than 40 published humanized antibodies including information on design issues, framework choice, framework back-mutations, and binding affinity of the humanized constructs.

See also Antibody Engineering Methods and Protocols, Ed. Benny K C Lo, Methods in Molecular Biology™, Human Press. Also at World Wide Web (www) blogsua.com/pdf/antibody-engineering-methods-and-protocolsantibody-engineering-methods-and-protocols. pdf

Any part of this disclosure may be read in combination with any other part of the disclosure, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 BAC Recombineering

Overall Strategy:

A mouse model of the invention can be achieved by inserting ˜960 kb of the human heavy chain locus containing all the V, D and J-regions upstream of the mouse constant region and 473 kb of the human kappa region upstream of the mouse constant region. Alternatively, or in tandem, the human lambda region is inserted upstream of the mouse constant region. This insertion is achieved by gene targeting in ES cells using techniques well known in the art.

High fidelity insertion of intact V-D-J regions into each locus in their native (wild-type) configuration is suitably achieved by insertion of human bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) into the locus. Suitably the BACs are trimmed so that in the final locus no sequence is duplicated or lost compared to the original. Such trimming can be carried out by recombineering.

The relevant human BACs, suitably trimmed covering these loci are on average 90 kb in size.

In one approach the full complement of human D and J-elements as well as seven or eight human V-regions are covered by the first BACs to be inserted in the experimental insertion scheme described below. The first BACs to be inserted in the IgH and IgK loci may contain the following V-regions. IgH:V6-1, VII-1-1, V1-2, VIII-2-1, V1-3, V4-4, V2-5 and IgK: V4-1, V5-2, V7-3, V2-4, V1-5, V1-6, V3-7, V1-8.

Suitably the performance of each locus is assessed after the first BAC insertion using chimaeric mice and also after each subsequent BAC addition. See below for detailed description of this performance test.

Nine additional BAC insertions will be required for the IgH locus and five for IgK to provide the full complement of human V-regions covering all 0.96 Mb and 0.473 Mb of the IgH and IgK loci, respectively.

Not all BACs retain their wild-type configuration when inserted into the ES cell genome. Thus, high density genomic arrays were deployed to screen ES cells to identify those with intact BAC insertions (Barrett, M. T., Scheffer, A., Ben-Dor, A., Sampas, N., Lipson, D., Kincaid, R., Tsang, P., Curry, B., Baird, K., Meltzer, P. S., et al. (2004). Comparative genomic hybridization using oligonucleotide microarrays and total genomic DNA. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101, 17765-17770.). This screen also enables one to identify and select against ES clones in which the ES cell genome is compromised and thus not able to populate the germ line of chimeric animals. Other suitable genomic tools to facilitate this assessment include sequencing and PCR verification.

Thus in one aspect the correct BAC structure is confirmed before moving to the next step.

It is implicit from the description above that in order to completely engineer the loci with 90 kb BACs, it is necessary to perform a minimum of 10 targeting steps for IgH and 5 steps for the IgK. Mice with an IgL locus can be generated in a similar manner to the IgK locus. Additional steps are required to remove the selection markers required to support gene targeting. Since these manipulations are being performed in ES cells in a step-wise manner, in one aspect germ line transmission capacity is retained throughout this process.

Maintaining the performance of the ES cell clones through multiple rounds of manipulation without the need to test the germ line potential of the ES cell line at every step may be important in the present invention. The cell lines currently in use for the KOMP and EUCOMM global knockout projects have been modified twice prior to their use for this project and their germ line transmission rates are unchanged from the parental cells (these lines are publicly available, see World Wide Web (www) komp.org and World Wide Web (www) eucomm.org). This cell line, called JM8, can generate 100% ES cell-derived mice under published culture conditions (Pettitt, S. J., Liang, Q., Rairdan, X. Y., Moran, J. L., Prosser, H. M., Beier, D. R., Lloyd, K. C., Bradley, A., and Skarnes, W. C. (2009). Agouti C57BL/6N embryonic stem cells for mouse genetic resources. Nature Methods.). These cells have demonstrated ability to reproducibly contribute to somatic and germ line tissue of chimaeric animals using standard mouse ES cell culture conditions. This capability can be found with cells cultured on a standard feeder cell line (SNL) and even feeder-free, grown only on gelatine-coated tissue culture plates. One particular sub-line, JM8A3, maintained the ability to populate the germ line of chimeras after several serial rounds of sub-cloning. Extensive genetic manipulation via, for example, homologous recombination—as would be the case in the present invention—cannot compromise the pluripotency of the cells. The ability to generate chimeras with such high percentage of ES cell-derived tissue has other advantages. First, high levels of chimerism correlates with germ line transmission potential and provide a surrogate assay for germ line transmission while only taking 5 to 6 weeks. Second, since these mice are 100% ES cell derived the engineered loci can be directly tested, removing the delay caused by breeding. Testing the integrity of the new Ig loci is possible in the chimera since the host embryo will be derived from animals that are mutant for the RAG-1 gene as described in the next section.

Another cell line that may be used is an HPRT-ve cell line, such as AB2.1, as disclosed in Ramirez-Solis R, Liu P and Bradley A, “Chromosome engineering in mice,” Nature, 1995; 378; 6558; 720-4.

RAG-1 Complementation:

While many clones will generate 100% ES derived mice some will not. Thus, at every step mice are generated in a RAG-1-deficient background. This provides mice with 100% ES-derived B- and T-cells which can be used directly for immunization and antibody production. Cells having a RAG-2 deficient background, or a combined RAG-1/RAG-2 deficient background may be used, or equivalent mutations in which mice produce only ES cell-derived B cells and/or T cells.

In order that only the human-mouse IgH or IgK loci are active in these mice, the human-mouse IgH and IgK loci can be engineered in a cell line in which one allele of the IgH or IgK locus has already been inactivated. Alternatively the inactivation of the host Ig locus, such as the IgH or IgK locus, can be carried out after insertion.

Mouse strains that have the RAG-1 gene mutated are immunodeficient as they have no mature B- or T-lymphocytes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,307). T- and B-lymphocytes only differentiate if proper V(D)J recombination occurs. Since RAG-1 is an enzyme that is crucial for this recombination, mice lacking RAG-1 are immunodeficient. If host embryos are genetically RAG-1 homozygous mutant, a chimera produced by injecting such an embryo will not be able to produce antibodies if the animal's lymphoid tissues are derived from the host embryo. However, JM8 cells and AB2.1 cells, for example, generally contribute in excess of 80% of the somatic tissues of the chimeric animal and would therefore usually populate the lymphoid tissue. JM8 cells have wild-type RAG-1 activity and therefore antibodies produced in the chimeric animal would be encoded by the engineered JM8 ES cell genome only. Therefore, the chimeric animal can be challenged with an antigen by immunization and subsequently produce antibodies to that antigen. This allows one skilled in the art to test the performance of the engineered human/mouse IgH and IgK loci as described in the present invention. See FIGS. 19 and 20.

One skilled in the art would use the chimeric animal as described to determine the extent of antibody diversity (see e.g. Harlow, E. & Lane, D. 1998, 5^(th) edition, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Lab. Press, Plainview, N.Y.). For example, the existence in the chimeric animal's serum of certain antibody epitopes could be ascertained by binding to specific anti-idiotype antiserum, for example, in an ELISA assay. One skilled in the art could also sequence the genomes of B-cell clones derived from the chimeric animal and compare said sequence to wild-type sequence to ascertain the level of hypermutation, such hypermutation indicative of normal antibody maturation.

One skilled in the art would also use said chimeric animal to examine antibody function wherein said antibodies are encoded from the engineered Ig loci (see e.g. Harlow, E. & Lane, D. 1998, 5^(th) edition, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Lab. Press, Plainview, N.Y.). For example, antisera could be tested for binding an antigen, said antigen used to immunize the chimeric animal. Such a measurement could be made by an ELISA assay. Alternatively, one skilled in the art could test for neutralization of the antigen by addition of the antisera collected from the appropriately immunized chimeric animal.

It is well known to those skilled in the art that positive outcomes for any of these tests demonstrate the ability of the engineered Ig loci, the subject of the instant invention, to encode antibodies with human variable regions and mouse constant regions, said antibodies capable of functioning in the manner of wild-type antibodies.

Experimental Techniques:

Recombineering for the production of vectors for use in homologous recombination in ES cells is disclosed in, for example, WO9929837 and WO0104288, and the techniques are well known in the art. In one aspect the recombineering of the human DNA takes place using BACs as a source of said human DNA. Human BAC DNA will be isolated using QIAGEN®, BAC purification kit. The backbone of each human BAC will be modified using recombineering to the exact same or similar configuration as the BAC already inserted into the mouse IgH region. The genomic insert of each human BAC will be trimmed using recombineering so that once the BACs are inserted, a seamless contiguous part of the human V(D)J genomic region will form at the mouse IgH or IgK locus. BAC DNA transfection by electroporation and genotyping will be performed accordingly to standard protocols (Prosser, H. M., Rzadzinska, A. K., Steel, K. P., and Bradley, A. (2008). “Mosaic complementation demonstrates a regulatory role for myosin Vila in actin dynamics of stereocilia.” Molecular and Cellular Biology 28, 1702-1712; Ramirez-Solis, R., Davis, A. C., and Bradley, A. (1993). “Gene targeting in embryonic stem cells.” Methods in Enzymology 225, 855-878.). Recombineering will be performed using the procedures and reagents developed by Pentao Liu and Don Court's laboratories (Chan, W., Costantino, N., Li, R., Lee, S. C., Su, Q., Melvin, D., Court, D. L., and Liu, P. (2007). “A recombineering based approach for high-throughput conditional knockout targeting vector construction.” Nucleic Acids Research 35, e64).

These and other techniques for gene targeting and recombination of BAC-derived chromosomal fragments into a non-human mammal genome, such as a mouse are well-known in the art and are disclosed in, for example, in World Wide Web (www) eucomm.org/information/targeting and World Wide Web (www) eucomm.org/information/publications.

Cell culture of C57BL/6N-derived cell lines, such as the JM8 male ES cells will follow standard techniques. The JM8 ES cells have been shown to be competent in extensively contributing to somatic tissues and to the germline, and are being used for large mouse mutagenesis programs at the Sanger Institute such as EUCOMM and KOMP (Pettitt, S. J., Liang, Q., Rairdan, X. Y., Moran, J. L., Prosser, H. M., Beier, D. R., Lloyd, K. C., Bradley, A., and Skarnes, W. C. (2009). “Agouti C57BL/6N embryonic stem cells for mouse genetic resources.” Nature Methods.). JM8 ES cells (1.0×10⁷) will be electroporated (500 μF, 230V; Bio-Rad®) with 10 μg I-SceI linearized human BAC DNA. The transfectants will be selected with either Puromycin (3 μg/ml) or G418 (150 μg/ml). The selection will begin either 24 hours (with G418) or 48 hours (with Puromycin) post electroporation and proceed for 5 days. 10 μg linearized human BAC DNA can yield up to 500 Puromycin or G418 resistant ES cell colonies. The antibiotic resistant ES cell colonies will be picked into 96-well cell culture plates for genotyping to identify the targeted clones.

Once targeted mouse ES cell clones are identified, they will be analyzed by array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) for total genome integrity (Chung, Y. J., Jonkers, J., Kitson, H., Fiegler, H., Humphray, S., Scott, C., Hunt, S., Yu, Y., Nishijima, I., Velds, A., et al. (2004). “A whole-genome mouse BAC microarray with 1-Mb resolution for analysis of DNA copy number changes by array comparative genomic hybridization.” Genome research 14, 188-196. and Liang, Q., Conte, N., Skarnes, W. C., and Bradley, A. (2008). “Extensive genomic copy number variation in embryonic stem cells.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 105, 17453-17456.). ES cells that have abnormal genomes do not contribute to the germline of the chimeric mice efficiently. BAC integrity will be examined by PCR-amplifying each known functional V gene in the BAC. For example, in one approach the first human BAC chosen for the IgH locus has 6 functional V genes. To confirm the integrity of this BAC for the presence of these 6 IGH V genes, at least 14 pairs of PCR primers will be designed and used to PCR-amplify genomic DNA from the targeted ES cells. The human wild-type size and sequence of these fragments will ensure that the inserted BAC has not been rearranged.

More detailed CGH will also confirm the integrity of the inserted BACs. For example, one skilled in the art could use an oligo aCGH platform, which is developed by Agilent Technologies, Inc. This platform not only enables one to study genome-wide DNA copy number variation at high resolution (Barrett, M. T., Scheffer, A., Ben-Dor, A., Sampas, N., Lipson, D., Kincaid, R., Tsang, P., Curry, B., Baird, K., Meltzer, P. S., et al. (2004). “Comparative genomic hybridization using oligonucleotide microarrays and total genomic DNA.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101, 17765-17770.), but permit examination of a specific genome region using custom designed arrays. Comparing the traditional aCGH techniques which rely on cDNA probes or whole BAC probes, the 60-mer oligonucleotides probes can ensure specific hybridization and high sensitivity and precision that is needed in order to detect the engineered chromosome alterations that were made. For example, oligos designed to hybridize at regular intervals along the entire length of the inserted BAC would detect even quite short deletions, insertions or other rearrangements. Also, this platform provides the greatest flexibility for customized microarray designs. The targeted ES cell genomic DNA and normal human individual genomic DNA will be labelled separately with dyes and hybridized to the array. Arrays slides will be scanned using an Aglient Technologies DNA microarray scanner. Reciprocal fluorescence intensities of dye Cy5 and dye Cy3 on each array image and the log 2 ratio values will be extracted by using Bluefuse software (Bluegnome). Spots with inconsistent fluorescence patterns (“confidence”<0.29 or “quality”=0) will be excluded before normalizing all log 2 ratio values. Within an experiment, Log 2 ratio between −0.29 and +0.29 for the signal from any oligo probe are regarded as no copy number change. The log 2 ratio threshold for “Duplication” is usually >0.29999, and for deletion is <0.29999.

Once the first human BAC is inserted into the mouse IgH locus and confirmed to be in its intact, native configuration, the FRT-flanked BAC backbone will be excised by using Flp site-specific recombinase. If regular Flp-catalyzed FRT recombination is not high enough, one can use Flo, an improved version of Flpo recombinase which in certain tests is 3-4 times more efficient than the original Flp in ES cells. After the BAC backbone is excised, ES cells will become sensitive to Puromycin (or G418) and resistant to FIAU (for loss of the TK cassette). The excision events will be further characterized by PCR amplification of the junction fragment using human genomic DNA primers. These FRT-flanked BAC backbone-free ES cells will be used for the next round of human BAC insertion and for blastocyst injection.

Targeting of the genome of an ES cell to produce a transgenic mouse may be carried out using a protocol as explained by reference to the attached FIGS. 1-18.

FIG. 1 illustrates three basic backbone vectors; an initiating cassette and 2 large insert vectors 1 and 2 respectively. The initiating cassette comprises sequences homologous to the desired site of insertion into the mouse genome, those sites flanking a selectable marker and stuffer primer sequence for PCR based genotyping to confirm correct insertion of BACs. The Stuffer-primer sequence provides the basis for genotyping each BAC addition step. This sequence is considered to provide a robust well validated sequence template for PCR primer and may be located at the ISceI site, ideally ˜1 kb from the BAC insert.

The large insert vectors comprise human DNA on plasmids with selectable markers and a unique restriction site for linearisation of the plasmid to aid in homologous recombination into the genome of the ES cell.

FIG. 2 illustrates insertion of an initiating cassette into the mouse genome by Homologous recombination between the mouse J4 and C alpha exons. Puromycin selection allows identification of ES cells with insertion of the cassette. pu(Delta)tk is a bifunctional fusion protein between puromycin N-acetyltransferase (Puro) and a truncated version of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (DeltaTk). Murine embryonic stem (ES) cells transfected with pu(Delta)tk become resistant to puromycin and sensitive to 1-(-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-1-beta-D-arabino-furanosyl)-5-iodouracil (FIAU). Unlike other HSV1 tk transgenes, puDeltatk is readily transmitted through the male germ line. Thus pu(Delta)tk is a convenient positive/negative selectable marker that can be widely used in many ES cell applications.

FIG. 3 illustrates targeting of the large insert vector 1 to the mouse ES cell genome. Linearisation of the vector is made at the same position as the stuffer primer sequence which allows for a gap repair genotyping strategy, well known in the art—see Zheng et al NAR 1999, Vol 27, 11, 2354-2360. In essence, random insertion of the targeting vector into the genome will not ‘repair’ the gap whereas a homologous recombination event will repair the gap. Juxtaposition of appropriate PCR primer sequences allows colonies to be screened individually for a positive PCR fragment indicating proper insertion. Positive selection using G418 allows for identification of mouse ES cells containing the neo selection marker. PCR verification can be made of all critical V, D and J regions. Array comparative genomic hybridization can be used to validate the BAC structure.

FIG. 4 illustrates the puro-delta-tk cassette and the BAC plasmid backbone is deleted using Flpe and select in FIAU. Since Flpe works inefficiently in mouse ES cells (5% deletion with transient Flpe expression), it is expected that in most cases, the recombination occurs between the two FRT sites flanking the BAC backbone. Flpo can also be tested to find out the recombination efficiency between two FRT sites that are 10 kb away.

Given that the FRT deletion step is selectable it is possible to pool FIAU resistant clones and proceed immediately to the next step in parallel with clonal analysis. Alternatively it may be desirable to show by short range PCR that the human sequences are now adjacent to those of the mouse as shown (Hu-primer 1 and Mo-primer)

At this stage a 200 kb human locus will have been inserted.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second large insert vector is targeted into the ES cell chromosome. The human BAC is targeted to the mouse IgH locus using the same initiation cassette insertion followed by ISceI BAC linearization, BAC targeting to the initiation cassette and gap-repair genotyping strategy. Verification of the BAC insertion is carried out as before.

FIG. 6 illustrates the FRTY flanked BAC backbone of large insert vector 2 and the neo marker are deleted via Flpo. Note that this is not selectable, thus it will be necessary for clonal analysis at this point. This will enable confirmation of the juxtaposition of the human 2 insert with human 1 and other validation efforts.

At this stage a ˜200 kb human locus will have been inserted.

FIG. 7 illustrates the next large insert vector targeted to the mouse IgH locus. The pu-delta TK cassette is then removed, as for FIG. 4. The process can be repeated to incorporate other BACs.

FIG. 8 illustrates the final predicted ES cell construct.

FIGS. 9-18 provide a further level of detail of this process.

Example 2 Site-Specific Recombination

In a further method of the invention site specific recombination can also be employed. Site-specific recombination (SSR) has been widely used in the last 20-years for the integration of transgenes into defined chromosomal loci. SSR involves recombination between homologous DNA sequences.

The first generation of SSR-based chromosomal targeting involved recombination between (i) a single recombination target site (RT) such as loxP or FRT in a transfected plasmid with (ii) a chromosomal RT site provided by a previous integration. A major problem with this approach is that insertion events are rare since excision is always more efficient than insertion. A second generation of SSR called RMCE (recombinase-mediated cassette exchange) was introduced by Schlake and Bode in 1994 (Schlake, T.; J. Bode (1994). “Use of mutated FLP-recognition-target-(FRT-)sites for the exchange of expression cassettes at defined chromosomal loci”. Biochemistry 33: 12746-12751). Their method is based on using two heterospecific and incompatible RTs in the transfected plasmid which can recombine with compatible RT sites on the chromosome resulting in the swap of one piece of DNA for another—or a cassette exchange. This approach has been successfully exploited in a variety of efficient chromosomal targeting, including integration of BAC inserts of greater than 50 kb (Wallace, H. A. C. et al. (2007). “Manipulating the mouse genome to engineering precise functional syntenic replacements with human sequence”. Cell 128: 197-209; Prosser, H. M. et al. (2008). “Mosaic complementation demonstrates a regulatory role for myosin Vila in actin dynamics of Stereocilia”. Mol. Cell. Biol. 28: 1702-12).

The largest insert size of a BAC is about 300-kb and therefore this places an upper limit on cassette size for RMCE.

In the present invention a new SSR-based technique called sequential RMCE (SRMCE) was used, which allows continuous insertion of BAC inserts into the same locus.

The method comprises the steps of

-   -   1 insertion of DNA forming an initiation cassette (also called a         landing pad herein) into the genome of a cell;

2 insertion of a first DNA fragment into the insertion site, the first DNA fragment comprising a first portion of a human DNA and a first vector portion containing a first selectable marker or generating a selectable marker upon insertion;

3 removal of part of the vector DNA;

4 insertion of a second DNA fragment into the vector portion of the first DNA fragment, the second DNA fragment containing a second portion of human DNA and a second vector portion, the second vector portion containing a second selectable marker, or generating a second selectable marker upon insertion;

5 removal of any vector DNA to allow the first and second human DNA fragments to form a contiguous sequence; and

6 iteration of the steps of insertion of a part of the human V(D)J DNA and vector DNA removal, as necessary, to produce a cell with all or part of the human VDJ or VJ region sufficient to be capable of generating a chimaeric antibody in conjunction with a host constant region, wherein the insertion of at least one DNA fragment uses site specific recombination.

In one specific aspect the approach utilizes three heterospecific and incompatible loxP sites. The method is comprised of the steps as follows, and illustrated in FIGS. 22-26:

-   -   1. Targeting a landing pad into the defined locus. An entry         vector containing an HPRT mini-gene flanked by inverted piggyBac         (PB) ITRs is targeted into defined region (for example: a region         between IGHJ and Eμ or IGKJ and Eκ or IGLC1 and Eλ3-1) to serve         as a landing pad for BAC targeting. The HPRT mini-gene is         comprised of two synthetic exons and associated intron. The 5′         HPRT exon is flanked by two heterospecific and incompatible loxP         sites (one wild-type and the other a mutated site, lox5171) in         inverted orientation to each other (FIG. 22). These two loxP         sites provide recombination sites for the BAC insertion through         RMCE.     -   2. Insertion of the 1^(st) modified BAC into the targeted         landing pad. The 1^(st) BAC has a length of DNA to be inserted         into the genome flanked by engineered modifications. The 5′         modification (loxP-neo gene-lox2272-PGK promoter-PB 5′LTR) and         3′ modification (PB3′LTR-puroΔTK gene-lox5171) is depicted in         FIG. 23 along with the relative orientations of the lox sites         and PB LTRs. With transient CRE expression from a         co-electroporated vector, the DNA sequence would be inserted         into the defined locus through RMCE. The cells in which a         correct insertion has occurred can be selected as follows: (i)         Puromycin-resistance (the puroΔTK gene has acquired a         promoter—“PGK”—from the landing pad), (ii) 6TG-resistance (the         HPRT mini-gene has been disrupted), and (iii) G418-resistance         (selects for any insertion via the 5′ region PGK-neo         arrangement). Any combination of these selection regimes can be         used. G418- and 6TG-resistance select for correct events on the         5′ end while puro-resistance selects for correct events on the         3′ end.     -   3. Curing (removing) the 3′ modification of the 1^(st)         insertion. A properly inserted 1^(st) BAC results the 3′ end         having a puroΔTK gene flanked by inverted PB LTRs (FIG.         24)—essentially a proper transposon structure. This transposon         can then be removed by the transient expression of the piggyBac         transposase (from an electroporated vector). Cells with the         correct excision event can be selected by FIAU resistance—ie, no         thymidine kinase activity from the puroΔTK gene. This completely         removes the 3′ modification leaving no trace nucleotides.     -   4. Insertion of a 2^(nd) modified BAC into the 5′ end of 1^(st)         insertion. The 2^(nd) BAC has a length of DNA to be inserted         into the genome (usually intended to be contiguous with the DNA         inserted with the 1^(st) BAC) flanked by engineered         modifications. The 5′ modification (loxP-HPRT mini gene 5′         portion-lox5171-PGK promoter-PB5′LTR) and 3′ modification         (PB3′LTR-puroΔTK-lox2272) is depicted in FIG. 25 along with the         relative orientations of the lox sites and PB LTRs. With         transient CRE expression from a co-electroporated vector, the         DNA sequence would be inserted into the defined locus through         RMCE. The cells in which a correct insertion has occurred can be         selected as follows: (i) HAT-resistance (the HPRT mini-gene is         reconstituted by a correct insertion event, ie: the 5′ and 3′         exon structures are brought together), and (ii)         puromycin-resistance (puroΔTK gene has acquired a         promoter—“PGK”—from the landing pad).     -   5. Curing (removing) the 3′ modification of the 2^(nd)         insertion. A properly inserted 2^(nd) BAC results the 3′ end         having a puroΔTK gene flanked by inverted PB LTRs (FIG.         26)—essentially a proper transposon structure, exactly analogous         to the consequence of a successful 1^(st) BAC insertion. And         therefore this transposon can likewise be removed by the         transient expression of the piggyBac transposase (from an         electroporated vector). Cells with the correct excision event         can be selected by FIAU resistance—ie, no thymidine kinase         activity from the puroΔTK gene. This completely removes the 3′         modification leaving no trace nucleotides.     -   6. After curing of the 3′ modification of the 2^(nd) BAC         insertion, the landing pad becomes identical to the original.         This entire process, steps 2 through 5, can be repeated multiple         times to build up a large insertion into the genome. When         complete, there are no residual nucleotides remaining other than         the desired insertion.

With the insertion of an odd number of BACs into the Ig loci, the endogenous VDJ or VJ sequences can be inactivated through an inversion via chromosomal engineering as follows (see FIGS. 27-29):

-   -   1. Targeting a “flip-over” cassette into a 5′ region 10 to 40         megabases away from the endogenous VDJ or VJ. The flip-over         vector (PB3′LTR-PGK promoter-HPRT mini gene 5′         portion-loxP-puroΔTK-CAGGS promoter-PB3′LTR) is depicted in FIG.         27 along with the relative orientations of the lox sites and PB         LTRs.     -   2. Transient CRE expression will result in recombination between         the loxP site in the “flip-over” cassette and the loxP site in         the 5′ modification. This 5′ modification is as described in         Steps 2 and 3 above—essentially the modification resulting from         insertion of an odd number of BACs, after the 3′ modification         has been cured. The loxP sites are inverted relative to one         another and therefore the described recombination event results         in an inversion as depicted in FIG. 28. Cells with the correct         inversion will be HAT-resistance since the HPRT mini-gene is         reconstituted by a correct inversion.     -   3. A correct inversion also leaves two transposon structures         flanking the “flip-over” cassette and the 5′ modification. Both         can be excised with transient piggyBAC transposase expression,         leaving no remnant of either modification (FIG. 29). Cells with         the correct excisions can be selected as follows: (i)         6TG-resistance (the HPRT mini-gene is deleted) and (ii)         FIAU-resistance (the puroΔTK gene is deleted). An inversion as         described in the Ig loci would move the endogenous IGH-VDJ or         IGK-VJ region away from the Eμ or Eκ enhancer region,         respectively, and lead to inactivation of the endogenous IGH-VDJ         or IGK-VJ regions.

The methods of insertion of the invention suitably provide one or more of:

-   -   Selection at both 5′ and 3′ ends of the inserted DNA fragment;     -   Efficient curing of the 3′ modification, preferably by         transposase mediated DNA excision;     -   Inactivation of endogenous IGH or IGK activity through an         inversion; and     -   Excision of modifications, leaving no nucleotide traces         remaining in the chromosome.

Example 3

Insertion of a Test Vector into the Genome at a Defined Location

Proof of concept of the approach is disclosed in FIG. 30. In FIG. 30 a landing pad as shown in FIG. 22 was inserted into the genome of a mouse by homologous recombination, followed by insertion of the R21 plasmid into that landing pad via cre-mediated site specific recombination. The insertion event generated a number of general insertion events, 360 G418 resistant colonies, of which ˜220 were inserted into the desired locus, as demonstrated by disruption of the HRPT minilocus.

The R21 vector mimicks the 1^(st) BAC insertion vector at the 5′ and 3′ ends, including all selection elements and recombinase target sites. In place of BAC sequences, there is a small ‘steer’ sequence. This vector will both test all the principals designed in the invention and allow easy testing of the results in that PCR across the stuffer is feasible and therefore allows both ends of the insertion to be easily tested. R21 was co-electroporated with a cre-expressing vector into the ES cells harbouring the landing pad in the IGH locus. Four sets of transformed cells were transfected in parallel and then placed under different selection regimes as indicated in FIG. 30. G418 selection (neo gene expression) resulted in the largest number of colonies due to there being no requirement for specific landing-pad integration. Any integration of R21 into the genome will provide neo expression leading to G418-resistance. Puro selection resulted in a similar colony number to Puro+6TG or G418+6TG, suggesting that the stringency of Puro selection is due to the PuroΔTK lacking a promoter in the vector. Puro expression is only acquired when an integration occurs near a promoter element—in this design most likely specifically in the landing pad. These conclusions are supported by the results from junction PCR which is shown in FIG. 31.

The next step in the invention is to ‘cure’ the 3′ end of the integrated BAC vector, leaving a seamless transition between the insertion and the flanking genome. This curing was demonstrated by expanding an individual clone from above (R21 inserted into the landing pad) and expressing piggyBac recombinase in this clone via transfection of an expressing plasmid. FIAU was used to select colonies in which the 3′ modification was excised—ie, through loss of the ‘PGK-puroΔTK’ element between the piggyBac terminal repeats. Fifty such clones resulted from a transfection of 10⁶ cells; of these six were tested for the expected genomic structure. Successful curing resulted in positive PCR between the primer set labelled “3” in FIG. 32. Of the 6 clones, 4 had correct excisions, 1 clone remained in the original configuration and 1 other had a deletion.

These data demonstrate iterative insertion of DNA into a landing pad at a defined genomic locus using the approaches outlined above.

Example 4

Insertion of Large Parts of the Human IG Loci into Defined Positions in the Mouse Genome

Example 3 demonstrated that the design of the claimed invention was capable of providing for the insertion of a test vector into the genome at a defined location, in this case the R21 vector into the mouse IGH locus. The use of the appropriate selection media and the expression of cre-recombinase resulted in a genomic alteration with the predicted structure.

The same design elements described in this invention were built into the 5′ and 3′ ends of a BAC insert. Said insert comprised human sequences from the IGH locus and was approximately 166-kb. This engineered BAC was electroporated along with a cre-expressing plasmid DNA into mouse ES cells harbouring the landing pad at the mouse IGH locus. The transfected cell population was grown in puro-containing media to select for appropriate insertion events.

Seven resulting clones were isolated and further analysed. The expected recombination event and resulting structure are depicted in FIG. 33. Based upon data from the R21 experiment outlined in Example 3, a stringent selection for correct clones was expected when the transfected population was selected in puro-containing media. This is because the puro-coding region requires a promoter element and this is preferentially supplied by the landing pad after recombination. Accordingly, the majority of the 7 isolated clones had inserted correctly into the genome at the landing pad as determined by the diagnostic PCR. The primers for diagnosing a correct insertion are depicted in FIG. 33. Correct junctions are present in the genome if a 610-bp fragment is amplified between primers ‘A’ and ‘X’ and a 478-bp fragment is amplified between primers ‘Y’ and ‘B’ (FIGS. 33 and 34). Note that there are amplified fragments between ‘A’ and ‘1’ primers and ‘2’ and ‘B’ primers indicating the presence of parental genome (that is, the landing pad alone). These result from parental cells present internally in the cell colonies under puro-selection that escape the selection due to the geometry of a colony. After passaging the colony through puro-containing media, these parental junction fragments disappear indicating that the parental cells are removed from the population. In addition, all the clones were shown to be resistant to 6-TG as expected if the HPRT gene is inactivated by the correct insertion event.

These data indicate that the disclosed strategy for inserting large parts of the human IG loci into defined positions in the mouse genome will enable the construction of a mouse with a plurality of the variable regions of human IG regions upstream of the mouse constant regions as described.

Example 5 Inserted Loci are Functional in Terms of Gene Rearrangement, Junctional Diversity as Well as Expression

Bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) were created, wherein the BACs had inserts of human Ig gene segments (human V, D and/or J gene segments). Using methods described herein, landing pads were used in a method to construct chimaeric Ig loci in mouse embryonic stem cells (ES cells), such that chimaeric IgH and IgK loci were provided in which human gene segments are functionally inserted upstream of endogenous constant regions. To test if the human IgH-VDJ or IgK-VJ gene segments in the chimaera mice derived from human BAC-inserted ES cell clones appropriately rearrange and express, RT-PCR was performed for the RNA samples of white blood cells from those mice with the primer pairs of human variable (V) region and mouse constant (C) region. The sequences of oligos are shown as follows (Table 1). Each V oligo is paired with C oligo (HV with Cμ; KV with Cκ) for PCR reaction.

TABLE 1 Oligo Sequence HV2-5 AGATCACCTTGAAGGAGTCTGGTCC (SEQ ID NO 7) HV4-4 TGGTGAAGCCTTCGGAGACCCTGTC (SEQ ID NO 8) HV1-3 CACTAGCTATGCTATGCATTGGGTG (SEQ ID NO 9) HV1-2 ATGGATCAACCCTAACAGTGGTGGC (SEQ ID NO 10) HV6-1 GGAAGGACATACTACAGGTCCAAGT (SEQ ID NO 11) cμ TAGGTACTTGCCCCCTGTCCTCAGT (SEQ ID NO 12) KV1-9 AGCCCAGTGTGTTCCGTACAGCCTG (SEQ ID NO 13) KV1-8 ATCCTCATTCTCTGCATCTACAGGA (SEQ ID NO 14) KV1-6 GGTAAGGATGGAGAACACTGGCAGT (SEQ ID NO 15) KV1-5 TTAGTAGCTGGTTGGCCTGGTATCA (SEQ ID NO 16) Cκ CTTTGCTGTCCTGATCAGTCCAACT (SEQ ID NO 17)

Using the one-step formulation of SuperScript™ III One-Step RT-PCR System with Platinum® Taq High Fidelity (Invitrogen™; World Wide Web (www) invitrogen.com/site/us/en/home/References/protocols/nucleic-acid-amplification-and-expression-profiling/per-protocol/superscript-3-one-step-rt-per-system-with-platinum-taq-high-fidelity.html#prot3), both cDNA synthesis and PCR amplification were achieved in a single tube using gene-specific primers and target RNAs.

The RT-PCR results showed most of the human IGH-VDJ or IGK-VJ gene segments appropriately rearrange and express in the chimaera mice. To investigate the details about the diversity generated from VDJ/VJ rearrangement, those specific RT-PCR fragments were cloned into a common vector for sequencing.

Sequencing results indicate that JH, DH, and Jκ usages (FIG. 35 and FIG. 36) are similar to human results. In addition, the results from the IGH-VDJCμ transcripts show that the range and mean of CDR-H3 length (FIG. 37) are similar to that observed in human. The junctional diversity generated from exonuclease and nucleotide addition activities (FIG. 38) was also observed. The IGH rearrangement possessed a higher frequency of these activities compared to the IGK one. These data suggest that the inserted loci are functional in terms of gene rearrangement, junctional diversity as well as expression.

Example 6 Productive VJ Rearrangement and Somatic Hypermutation can be Obtained

FIG. 41 shows an analysis of kappa mRNA from mice B-cells bearing rearranged VJ, the VJ having been rearranged from human germline kappa V1-8 and J1, and demonstrates that both that productive VJ rearrangement and somatic hypermutation can be obtained, the latter as seen from the changes in antibodies encoded by mRNA with respect to the germline sequences. The same is displayed for V1-6 and J1 in FIG. 42. Importantly, the recombination eliminates stop codons that are encoded by the combination of (unmutated) human germline gene segments, thereby allowing for antibody-encoding mRNA sequences. FIG. 43 demonstrates that inserted human kappa V1-5 J1 and V1-5 J4 can produce functional coding sequences in vivo and junctional diversity.

Example 7 Inactivation of Use of Endogenous IGHV Gene Segments for Expressed Rearranged Heavy Chain by Inversion Introduction

A 5′-RACE Cμ-specific library was generated from the splenic B lymphocytes of transgenic mice, denoted S1 mice. These mice comprise transgenic heavy chain loci, each locus containing the six most 3′ functional human V_(H) gene segments (V_(H)2-5, 7-4-1, 4-4, 1-3, 1-2, 6-1), and all the human D and J_(H) gene segments (comprising functional human D gene segments D1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 1-7, 2-8, 3-9, 5-12, 6-13, 2-15, 3-16, 4-17, 6-19, 1-20, 2-21, 3-22, 6-25, 1-26 and 7-27; and functional human J gene segments J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 and J6) inserted into the endogenous heavy chain locus between endogenous IGHJ4 and Eμ (mouse chromosome 12: between coordinates 114666435 and 114666436). The human DNA was obtained from a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) containing the sequence of human chromosome 14 from coordinate 106328951 to coordinate 106494908. Further details on the construction of transgenic antibody loci using sRMCE is given elsewhere herein and in WO2011004192 (which is incorporated herein by reference). 4×96-well plates of clones were randomly picked for sequencing to determine the usage of the gene segments. All detected immunoglobulin heavy chains were rearranged from mouse V_(H) or human V_(H) with human D-J_(H). No mouse D and J_(H) segments were detected in rearranged products (FIG. 44).

This result indicates that insertion of human V_(H)-D-J_(H) gene segments into an endogenous locus between the last endogenous J region (in this case, J_(H)4) and the Eμ enhancer effectively inactivates the use of endogenous D and J_(H) gene segments for expressed rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chains.

The ratio of mouse V_(H) to human V_(H) usage was around 3 to 1 (FIG. 45). To completely eliminate mouse V_(H) use for antibody generation, the endogenous mouse V_(H)-D-J_(H) was inverted and moved to a distant region of the same chromosome. The rearrangement of mouse V_(H)s to human D-J_(H) segments was totally blocked by effects of inversion and distance from the heavy chain locus.

The inversion strategy included three steps: (a) targeting of an inversion cassette, (b) inversion of endogenous VDJ and (c) excision of markers (FIG. 46).

(a) Targeting of the Inversion Cassette:

The inversion cassette consists of four components: a CAGGS promoter-driven puromycin-resistant-delta-thymidine kinase (puroΔtk) gene, a 5′ HPRT gene segment under the PGK promoter control, a loxP site between them and inversely oriented to another loxP site already in the heavy chain locus, and two flanking piggyback LTRs (PB3′LTRs). The inversion targeting cassette was inserted to a region that is 5′ and distant to the endogenous IGH locus at chromosome 12 as shown in FIG. 46. The targeted ES clones were identified and confirmed by PCR.

(b) Inversion:

Following the insertion, transient expression of cre from a transfected plasmid resulted in inversion of a section of chromosome 12 fragment including the endogenous V_(H)-D-J_(H) locus and intervening sequences through recombination of two inverted loxP sites, ie, those in the inversion cassette and the landing pad for the BAC insertion respectively. The invertants were selected by HAT and confirmed by junction PCRs cross the two recombined loxP sites.

(c) Excision of Markers:

The inversion rearranged the relative orientation of the PB3′LTRs from the inversion cassette and PB5′LTR from the landing pad to generate two piggyBac transposon structures flanking the inverted region. With transient expression of piggyBac transposase (PBase), these two transposons were excised from the chromosome (and thus the mouse cell genome). The cured ES clones were selected by 1-(-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-1-b-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil (FIAU) and 6TG, and confirmed by junction PCRs cross the excised regions.

Methods

Tissue Culture:

The procedures for ES cell culture, electroporation and drug selection have been described previously (Ramirez-Solis, R., A. C. Davis, and A. Bradley. 1993. Gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells. Methods Enzymol. 225:855-878).

Targeting of the Locus for Inversion:

Briefly, 51 cell line (S1.11.1) was cultured in M15 medium (Knockout™ DMEM supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum, 2 mM glutamine, antibiotics, and 0.1 mM 2-mercaptoethonal). Targeting construct R57 (FIG. 47) was linearized outside the region of homology by NotI. A total of 20 μg of the linearized construct was electroporated into 51 cell lines (AB2.1-derived) with a Bio-Rad® Gene Pulser™, and 107 cells were plated onto three 90-mm-diameter SNL76/7 feeder plates containing M15 medium. At 24 h after electroporation, M15 containing puromycin (3 μg of the active ingredient per ml) was added to each 90-mm-diameter plate, and the cells were maintained under selection for 9 days. 96 puromycin-resistant clones were then picked and expanded in 96-well plates. The targeting events were identified by long-range PCR.

Cre-loxP Mediated Inversion:

12 positive clones were pooled together and cultured in a 6-well tissue culture plate with M15 medium. The cells were transfected with 10 μg of pCAGGS-Cre plasmid for the inversion of mouse endogenous locus and then plated onto three 90-mm-diameter SNL76/7 feeder plates containing M15 medium. At 24 h after electroporation, M15 containing 1XHAT (hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine) was added to each 90-mm-diameter plate, and the cells were maintained under selection for 7 days and then treated with 1XHT (hypoxanthine-thymidine) for 2 days. 48 HAT resistant colonies were picked and genotyped by PCR amplification of the junctions after Cre-loxP mediated inversion.

HyPBase-Mediated Marker Excision:

12 positive clones were pooled together and cultured in 6-well tissue culture plate using M15 medium. The cells were transfected with 5 μg of HyPBase plasmid to activate the PB transposon LTRs flanking two selection markers (Hprt-mini gene and PGK-puroΔtk gene) and plated onto one 90-mm-diameter SNL76/7 feeder plates containing M15 medium. At 72 h after electroporation, a serial dilution of the cells was then plated onto three 90-mm-diameter SNL76/7 feeder plates containing M15 supplemented with 1-(-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-1-b-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-iodouracil (FIAU). Cells were maintained under selection for 10 days, and FIAU-resistant colonies were counted, picked, and expanded in 96-well plates. Positive clones were identified by PCR amplification of the junctions after excision of the selection markers. Positive clones were then expanded for blastocyst microinjection.

Generation of Chimera and Breeding:

Mouse chimaeras were generated by microinjection of ES cells into C57/BL6 blastocysts and transfered into pseudopregnant recipients. Male chimaeras were test-crossed with C57/BL6 mice. Agouti F1 offspring were genotyped by 51 3′ junction PCR. Test-cross positive heterozygotes were further intercrossed to generate homozygotes.

Determination of VH-D-JH Usage by Rapid Amplification of 5′-cDNA Ends (5′ RACE) PCR:

Total RNA was extracted from the spleen of S1inv1 mouse (KMSF30.1d) with TRIzol® Reagent (Invitrogen™, Life Technologies Ltd™) and treated with DNase I. Rapid amplification of 5′-cDNA ends (5′ RACE) PCR was performed using 573′ RACE kit (2nd Generation, Roche) following the protocol supplied by the manufacturer. The first-strand cDNA was synthesised using primer E1554 (5′-ATGACTTCAGTGTTGTTCTGGTAG-3′; SEQ ID No 25) which is located at the mouse endogenous Cμ region. The synthesised first cDNA strand was purified using High Pure PCR Product Purification Kit (Roche). Poly(A) tail was added following the protocol supplied with the 573′ RACE kit (2nd Generation, Roche). The 5′ end of the V_(H)-D-J_(H) rearranged transcript was amplified by nested PCR with forward primers Oligo dT, which is included in the kit, and nested Cμ-specific reverse primers E1555 (5′-CACCAGATTCTTATCAGAC-3′; SEQ ID No 26). Following reaction, the 5′ RACE PCR product was checked on a 1% agarose gel and purified using QIAquick® Gel Extraction Kit (QIAGEN) as the protocol supplied with the kit, then cloned into pDrive vector using QIAGEN PCR Cloning Kit (QIAGEN) for sequencing analysis.

Results

The sequence analysis from a Cμ-specific 5′-RACE library of splenic B lymphocytes of S1^(inv1) (one human IGH BAC (ie, multiple human VH, all functional human D and JH) with an inverted endogenous IGH locus version 1) mouse shows that practically all the transcripts came from rearranged human V_(H)-D-J_(H) gene segments (FIG. 48). Mouse V_(H) usage was rarely detected (0.4%), and no mouse D and J_(H) usage was detected. Human V_(H) usage was 99.6% and only human D and J_(H) were used; it was hypothesized that the rare mouse V_(H) usage was due to trans-switching with another chromosome and not due to use of moue V_(H) from the inverted sequences. The inversion resulted in complete inactivation of the endogenous V_(H) use.

This Result Indicates that Inversion is an Effective Way to Inactivate the Rearrangement of Endogenous V_(H) Gene Segments.

The S1^(inv1) mouse also shows a similar usage of both D and J_(H) gene segments to human (FIG. 49) (Link, J M et al. Mol. Immunol. 2005. 42, 943-955). Thus, a mouse was produced that comprises a transgenic heavy chain locus that expresses heavy chains comprising human variable regions, but no mouse variable regions, and furthermore the human variable regions demonstrated a normal, human sequence distribution corresponding to human D and J usage observed in humans.

Example 8 Inactivation of Use of Endogenous IGHV Gene Segments for Expressed Rearranged Heavy Chain by Insertion of Human IgH Genomic DNA Introduction

Insertion of human BACs with V_(H)-D-J_(H) gene segments into an endogenous mouse heavy chain locus between J_(H)4 and Eμ in chromosome 12 allows human V_(H)-D-J_(H) gene segments to effectively use mouse Eμ and 3′ enhancers and rearrange to generate chimeric antibody with human variable region and mouse constant region. Meanwhile, the endogenous V_(H)-D-J_(H) gene segments are pushed away from endogenous enhancers and constant regions. This distance effect results in inactivation of mouse D and J_(H) use for expressed rearranged antibody products. As the distance increases by stepwise BAC insertion, it is expected that the mouse VH usage would be significantly reduced.

Results

Insertion of human DNA from a 1^(st) human BAC (BAC comprising a the sequence of mouse Chromosome 14 from coordinate 106328951 to coordinate 106494908; containing six most 3′ functional V_(H) gene segments (V_(H)2-5, 7-4-1, 4-4, 1-3, 1-2, 6-1), and all the human D and J_(H) gene segments) into the heavy chain endogenous locus of a AB2.1 ES cell genome between endogenous IGHJ4 and Eμ (at mouse chromosome 12: between coordinates 114666435 and 114666436) effectively inactivates the use of endogenous D and J_(H) gene segments for expressed rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain (FIG. 44). The rearranged transcripts with mouse V_(H) gene segments are reduced in the resulting 51 mouse. The proportion of transcripts using mouse V_(H) is around 75% of all observed sequences (FIG. 45).

Following the 1^(st) BAC DNA insertion, human DNA from a 2^(nd) human BAC (Chr14: 106494909-106601551) (BAC comprising a the sequence of mouse Chromosome 14 from coordinate 106494909 to coordinate 106601551; containing 5 more functional VH gene segments (V_(H)3-13, 3-11, 3-9, 1-8, 3-7)) was inserted into the landing pad left behind after curing following the 1^(st) BAC insertion (see, eg, FIG. 24). The mouse V_(H) usage is further significantly reduced following this insertion of the 2^(nd) BAC into the locus. The proportion of transcripts using mouse VH was further reduced to 35% of all observed sequences (FIG. 50).

This result indicate that the endogenous V_(H)-D-J_(H) gene segments could be inactivated (ie, not used for expressed rearranged heavy chains) through insertion of human VDJ sequences from one or more BACs. As the distance increases by stepwise BAC insertion, it is expected that the mouse VH usage would be significantly reduced.

Example 9 Normal Class Switch and Hypermutation in Transgenic Mice of the Invention Introduction

The B cell arm of the immune system has evolved to produce high affinity, antigen-specific antibodies in response to antigenic challenge. Antibodies are generated in B lymphocytes by a process of gene rearrangement in which variable (V), diversity (D; for the IGH locus) and joining (J) gene segments are recombined, transcribed and spliced to a Cρ (for IGH) or a Cκ or Cλ (for IGL) constant region gene segment to form an IgM antibody. Depending on the stage of B cell development, IgM is either located on the cell surface or secreted. The recombination process generates a primary antibody repertoire with sufficient germ line diversity to bind a wide range of antigens. However, it is usually not large enough to provide the high affinity antibodies that are required for an effective immune response to an antigen such as an infectious agent. Therefore, the immune system adopts a two-stage diversification process to increase diversity further. When challenged with antigens, B cells undergo selection and maturation by a process called somatic mutation. B cells expressing antibodies which bind to antigen undergo multiple rounds of diversification, clonal expansion and antigen selection in the germinal centres (GCs) of the secondary lymphoid organs. During this process, the rearranged variable regions of the immunoglobulin genes acquire somatic hypermutation through nucleotide substitution, addition or deletion. This stepwise process creates a secondary repertoire from the weak binders selected originally from the primary repertoire and combines rapid proliferation of antigen-reactive B cells with intense selection for quality of binding, eventually giving rise to high affinity antibodies with broad epitope coverage. During this process, antibodies undergo class switching in which the Cμ constant region is replaced by Cγ. Cα or Cε to produce respectively IgG, A or E classes of antibody with different effector functions.

Insertion of 1^(st) human BAC (Chr14: 106328951-106494908) containing six most 3′ functional V_(H) gene segments (V_(H)2-5, 7-4-1, 4-4, 1-3, 1-2, 6-1), and all the D and J_(H) gene segments into the locus between endogenous IGHJ4 and Eμ (Chr12: 114666435 and 114666436) produces transgenic mice that generate chimeric immunoglobulin heavy chains containing human variable and mouse constant regions. This result demonstrates that human immunoglobulin gene segments are able to be rearranged and expressed in mice. Here, RT-PCR experiments and sequence analysis were performed to further demonstrate that immunized transgenic mice have proper class switch and hypermutation for generated antibodies.

Methods

RT-PCR and Sequence Analysis:

Wild type or S1 chimera mice at 6-8 weeks of age were primed by intraperitoneal injection of 10⁶ sheep RBCs suspended in phosphate buffer saline (PBS). The immunized mice were boosted twice with the same amount of sheep RBCs two and four weeks after priming. Four days after the last boost, peripheral blood cells were collected from the immunized mice. Total RNA was isolated from peripheral blood cells with TRIzol® reagent (Invitrogen™) and treated with DNase I. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using SuperScript® III First-Strand Synthesis System (Invitrogen™) following the protocol supplied by the manufacturer. The 1st strand cDNA was synthesized with the specific Cγ primers (Cγ1, Cγ2a, Cγ2b), following by PCR with specific human V primers (VH1-2,3, VH4-4, VH6-1) and Cγ primers (Table 2). Following reaction, the RT-PCR product was checked on a 1% agarose gel and purified using QIAquick® Gel Extraction Kit (QIAGEN) as the protocol supplied with the kit, then cloned into pDrive vector using QIAGEN PCR Cloning Kit (QIAGEN) for sequencing analysis.

TABLE 2 ELP1352_Cγ1 5′-AGAGCGGCCGCTGGGCAACGTTGC AGGTGACGGTC-3′ SEQ ID No 27 ELP1353_Cγ2b 5′-AGAGCGGCCGCTTTGTCCACCGTG GTGCTGCTGG-3′ SEQ ID No 28 ELP1354_Cγ2a 5′-AGAGCGGCCGCACATTGCAGGTGA TGGACTGGC-3′ SEQ ID No 29 ELP1356_VH4-4 5′-AGGACGCGTGAAACACCTGTGGTT CTTCCTCCTGC-3′ SEQ ID No 30 ELP1357_VH1-2,3 5′-AGGACGCGTCACCATGGACTGGAC CTGGAGGAT-3′ SEQ ID No 31 ELP1358_VH6-1 5′-AGGACGCGTATGTCTGTCTCCTTC CTCATCTTCC-3′ SEQ ID No 32

Results

The rearranged transcripts were detected using RT-PCR with human VH-specific and mouse Cγ-specific primers for amplification from peripheral blood cells of immunized transgenic mice (FIG. 51). Further sequence analysis of these amplified fragments demonstrated hypermutation happened within the human variable regions of these IGγ chains (FIG. 52). These results indicate that loci of the invention comprising insertion of human IGH BAC containing V_(H), D and J_(H) gene segments into the locus between endogenous IGHJ4 and Eμ regions has normal class switching and hypermutation functionality (IgM to IgG) following antigen challenge.

Example 10 Normal B Cell Compartments in Transgenic Mice of the Invention Introduction

In mice, about 2×10⁷ bone marrow immature B cells are produced daily. Among them, only 10-20% of these cells survive to exit the bone marrow and enter the spleen. The immature splenic B cell population is divided into two distinct subsets: transitional 1 (T1) and transitional 2 (T2) B cells. In vivo experiments indicate that T1 cells give rise to T2 cells, whereas T2 cells can further differentiate into mature (M) B cells. In contrast to immature B cells (3-4 days old), mature B cells are long-lived (15-20 weeks old) and are ready to respond to antigens (Pillai S et al; Immunol. Reviews. 2004. 197: 206-218). Thus, the component of mature B cell population is directly linked to the efficiency of humoral immune response.

The T1, T2 and M cell populations can be categorized by their cell surface IgM and IgD levels. A normal phenotype of splenic B cell compartment is required to mount a robust immune response.

Methods

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Mature B Lymphocytes:

To obtain a single cell suspension from spleen, the spleens of mice listed below were gently passaged through a 30 μm cell strainer. Single cells were resuspended in PBS supplemented with 3% heat inactivated foetal calf serum (FCS; Gibco®). The following antibodies were used for staining:

Antibody against B220/CD45R conjugated with allophycocyanin (APC) (eBioscience, clone RA3-6B2), antibody against IgD receptor conjugated with phycoerythrin (PE) (eBioscience, clone 11-26) and IgM receptor conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) (eBioscience, clone 11/41).

5×10⁶ cells were used for each staining. To each vial containing splenocytes a cocktail of antibodies was added consisting of: IgD (PE) (eBioscience, clone 11-26), IgM (FITC) and B220/CD45R (APC). Cells were incubated at 6° C. for 15 minutes, washed to remove excess of unbound antibodies and analysed using a fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyser from Miltenyi Biotech. B-cells were gated as B220⁺IgM⁺IgD⁻ for T1 population, B220⁺IgM⁺IgD⁺ for T2 population and B220⁺IgM⁻IgD⁺ for M population. Percentage of cells was calculated using gating system.

Results

Four different genotypes of mice were generated:—

-   -   Wild type (WT);     -   A transgenic mouse homozygous for a heavy chain transgene         comprising insertion of the 1^(st) BAC human DNA noted above in         which there are 6 human VH, all functional human D and JH gene         segments (S1/S1);     -   A transgenic mouse homozygous for a heavy chain transgene         comprising insertion of a human VH, all functional human D and         JH gene segments (H1/H1); and     -   A transgenic mouse homozygous for a kappa chain transgene         comprising insertion of 6 functional human Vκ and 5 functional         Jκ gene segments (K1/K1).

Spleens from these naïve mice were collected and analysed for their B cell compartments. The number and percentages of T1, T2 and M cells among those mice are similar (FIG. 53), indicating that genetic manipulation of endogenous IG loci in transgenic mice according to the invention do not compromise their B cell development. These data help to establish that animals according to the invention provide a robust platform for antibody discovery.

As explained in Example 16 below, further analysis was performed on S1 mice in which endogenous heavy chain expression has been inactivated (S1F mice in which there is inactivation by inversion as herein described). As explained, normal splenic and bone marrow compartments are seen in such mice of the invention (ie, equivalent to the compartments of mice expressing only mouse antibody chains).

Example 11 Normal IgH Isotypes & Serum Levels in Transgenic Animals of the Invention

Transgenic mice (H1) carrying all human JH, all human DH and human Vh2-5 under control of a rat switch region or mice (S1) carrying all human JH, all human DH and human Vh2-5, Vh7-41, Vh4-4, Vh1-3, Vh1-2 and Vh6-1 under control of a mouse switch region were immunised with 100 μg Cholera Toxin B subunit (CTB; Sigma-Aldrich® C9903) emulsified in Complete Freund's Adjuvant CFA; Sigma-Aldrich® F 5881). At least three animals were injected sc or ip and then boosted with 25 μg antigen in Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA; Sigma-Aldrich® F 5506) at (i) 14 days and 21 days or (ii) 28 days after priming. Blood was taken before priming at day “−1” (pre-bleeds) and on the day the spleens were taken (usually 4d after last boost). Serum was analysed by ELISA using an antigen independent assessment of Ig isotypes. This assay detects total serum antibodies of all species. Specific detection for mouse IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgM was used ((Anti-mouse IgG1 HRP AbD Serotec STAR132P, Anti-mouse IgG2a HRP AbD Serotec STAR133P, Anti-mouse IgG2b HRP AbD Serotec STAR134P, Anti-mouse IgM HRP Abcam® ab97230) and concentrations were read off a standard curve produced for each isotype using polyclonal isotype controls (IgG1, Kappa murine myeloma Sigma-Aldrich® M9269, IgG2a, Kappa murine myeloma Sigma-Aldrich® M9144, IgG2b, Kappa from murine myeloma Sigma-Aldrich® M8894, IgM, Kappa from murine myeloma Sigma-Aldrich® M3795). Results (FIGS. 54 & 55 for H1 homozygous and S1 homozygous and heterozygous mice) showed that even with these relatively short immunisation regimes mice showed an increase in overall IgG levels after immunisation over pre-bleeds. In cases where control mice (+/+) not carrying any human immunoglobulin genes were included and immunised, these mice showed comparable changes in total observed Ig levels (FIG. 54). Individual isotype levels were more variable between animals possibly showing various stages of class switching. IgM levels never exceeded 800 μg/ml whereas IgG levels reached more than 6 mg/ml in some animals. Non-immunised controls showed no such increases in switched isotype Ig levels.

These results demonstrate that mice comprising multiple human VDJ gene segments under the control of a rat Sp rat or mouse switch are able to undergo productive recombination and class switching in response to antigen challenge and that the mice produce antibody levels that are broadly comparable to unmodified mice The transgenic mice are able to produce antibodies of each of the IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgM isotypes after immunisation. Titers for CTB-specific Ig in pre-bleeds and terminal bleeds were determined and all immunised animals showed at CTB-specific titres of at least 1/100 000.

Example 12

Generation of Anti-Ovalbumin Antibodies with Sub-50 nm Affinities from Animals of the Invention

Transgenic mice carrying all human JH, all human DH and human Vh2-5 under control of a rat Sp switch region were immunised with 25 μg ovalbumin (OVA; Sigma-Aldrich® A7641) in Sigma-Aldrich® adjuvant (Sigma Adjuvant System® S6322) ip and then boosted with the same amount of OVA in adjuvant at day 14 and day 21. Spleenocytes were taken 4 days later and fused using 1 ml polyethyleneglycol (PEG Average MW1450; Sigma-Aldrich® P7306) with a myeloma line. Fused hybridoma cells were plated on 5 96-well plates and after selection with hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (HAT) wells tested for expression of OVA-specific antibodies by ELISA. Clones positive by ELISA were re-tested by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and binding kinetics determined using the ProteOn™ XPR36 (Bio-Rad®). Briefly, anti-mouse IgG (GE Biacore™ BR-1008-38) was coupled to a GLM biosensor chip by primary amine coupling, this was used to capture the antibodies to be tested directly from tissue culture supernatants. Ovalbumin was used as the analyte and passed over the captured antibody surface at 1024 nM, 256 nM, 64 nM, 16 nM, 4 nM with a 0 nM (i.e. buffer alone) used to double reference the binding data. Regeneration of the anti-mouse IgG capture surface was by 10 mM glycine pH1.7, this removed the captured antibody and allowed the surface to be used for another interaction. The binding data was fitted to 1:1 model inherent to the ProteOn™ XPR36 analysis software. The run was carried out 1×HBS-EP (10 mM Hepes, 150 mM NaCl, 3 mM EDTA, 0.05% polysorbate, pH7.6 (Teknova H8022)) used as running buffer and carried out at 25° C.

For 8 positive clones, heavy chain V-regions were recovered by RT-PCR (Access RT-PCR System, A1250, Promega) using forward primers specific for Ig signal sequences (Wardemann et al Science 301, 1374 (2003)) and the following reverse primers for the constant regions of mouse IgG (Table 3):

TABLE 3 Primer Name Sequence bp mIgG1_2 rev GGGGCCAGTGG 21 SEQ ID No 33 ATAGACAGAT mIgG2b rev CAGTGGATAGA 18 SEQ ID No 34 CTGATGG mIgG2a_2 rev CAGTGGATAGA 21 SEQ ID No 35 CCGATGG mCH1 unirev KCAGGGGCCAG 20 SEQ ID No 36 TGGATAGAC mCH1 unirev_2 TARCCYTTGAC 20 SEQ ID No 37 MAGGCATCC

RT-PCR products were either directly sequenced using the same primer pairs or cloned in to TA plasmids (TOPO® TA Cloning® Kit for Sequencing, K4595-40, Invitrogen™) and submitted for plasmid sequencing. Results (Table 4, below) show that CDRH3 sequences had variable CDRs except for two identical clones (16C9 and 20B5) that also had near identical KD kinetic values. The determined equilibrium binding constant KD ranged from 0.38 nM to 40.60 nM, as determined by SPR at 25° C.

These results demonstrate that mice comprising multiple human VDJ gene segments under the control of a rat Cμ switch are able to undergo productive recombination and produce high affinity antigen-specific antibodies whose CDR3 regions have sequences encoded by human gene segments (human JH was separately identified by V-Quest, IMGT).

TABLE 4 CDR3 and FR4 (underlined) KD clone according to [nM] code Kabat definition  0.38 16C9 QEVINYYYYGMDV SEQ ID No 38 WGQGTTVTVSS  0.52 20B5 QEVINYYYYGMDV SEQ ID No 39 WGQGTTVTVSS  5.89 19F4 LEMATINYYYYGM SEQ ID No 40 DVWGQGTMVTVSS 39.70 19E1 QEFGNYYYYGMDV SEQ ID No 41 WGQGTTVTVSS  3.10 19G8 QEDGNPYYFGMDF SEQ ID No 42 WGQGTTVTVSS  8.95 20H10 GSSYYYDGMDVWG SEQ ID No 43 QGTTVTVSS  4.46 18D10 LENDYGYYYYGMD SEQ ID No 44 VWGQGTTVTVSS 40.60 16F2 RGGLSPLYGMDVW SEQ ID No 45 GQGTTVTVSS

Example 13

Generation of Anti-Cholera Toxin B Antibodies With Human Vh Regions from Animals of the Invention

Transgenic mice carrying all human JH, all human DH and human Vh2-5, Vh7-41, Vh4-4, Vh1-3, Vh1-2 and Vh6-1under control of a mouse Sμ switch region were immunised and fused as described in Example 11. Fused hybridoma cells were plated on 5 96-well plates and after selection with hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (HAT) or G418 (Gibco® Cat No 10131-027, Lot 503317) and wells tested for expression of CTB-specific antibodies by ELISA. Clones positive by ELISA were re-tested by surface plasmon resonance SPR and binding kinetics determined using the ProteOn XPR36™ (Bio-Rad®).

Briefly, anti-mouse IgG (GE Biacore™ BR-1008-38) was coupled to a GLM biosensor chip by primary amine coupling, this was used to capture the antibodies to be tested directly from tissue culture supernatants. Cholera toxin B was used as analyte and passed over the captured antibody surface at 256 nM, 64 nM, 16 nM, 4 nM and 1 nM, with a 0 nM (i.e. buffer alone) used to double reference the binding data. Regeneration of the anti-mouse IgG capture surface was by 10 mM glycine pH1.7, this removed the captured antibody and allowed the surface to be used for another interaction. The binding data was fitted to 1:1 model inherent to the ProteOn XPR36™ analysis software. The run was carried out 1×HBS-EP (10 mM Hepes, 150 mM NaCl, 3 mM EDTA, 0.05% polysorbate, pH7.6 (Teknova H8022)) used as running buffer and carried out at 37° C.

From the clones initially identified by ELISA, binding to CTB was confirmed by SPR. However, due to the pentameric nature of the cholera toxin B, the majority of fits to the 1:1 model were poor and the equilibrium binding constant KDs could not be accurately determined. Where fits were acceptable, equilibrium binding constant KDs determined ranged from 0.21 nM to 309 nM but due to the pentameric nature of cholera toxin B these are likely to be the result of multimeric interactions and therefore apparent affinities with possible avidity components.

Clones identified by SPR for binding to CTB were subjected to RT-PCR as described in Example 12 to recover the Vh regions. RT-PCR products were directly sequenced using the same primer pairs. Results were obtained for only 14 clones presumably because the human primers described in Wardemann et al were not designed to amplify mouse Vh regions and therefore may have failed to amplify certain mouse Vh classes. Results showed that 3 of the 14 CTB-specific recovered heavy chain V-region sequences were human V, D and J regions as identified by V-Quest, IMGT (Table 5).

TABLE 5 Alignment of heavy chain CDRs and J-region of 3 clones identified as binding to CTB and preferentially matching with human reference sequences from IMGT database; note that the KD values given here are apparent values due to the avidity of the CTB- antibody interaction Vh Clone Sequence (Kabat definitions) KD region Name CDR1 CDR2 CDR3 J-regions [nM] IGHV4-4*02 — SSNWWS EIYHSGSTNYNPSLKS n/a IGHJ2*01 YWYFDLWGRGTLVTVSS — (SEQ ID NO 51) (SEQ ID NO 56) (SEQ ID NO 64) 12D10 SGNWWS EIYHSGNTNYNPSLKS GPLTGEKYYFDL -YYFDLWGRGTLVTVSS 0..27 (SEQ ID NO 52) (SEQ ID NO 57) (SEQ ID NO 61) (SEQ ID NO 65) 1283 RSNWWS EIYHSGSTNYNPSLKS IGDWYFDL -WYFDLWGRGTLVTVSS  0.85 (SEQ ID NO 53) (SEQ ID NO 58) (SEQ ID NO 62) (SEQ ID NO 66) IGHV6-1*01 — SNSAAWN RTYYRSKWYNDYAVSVKS n/a IGHJ3*01 DAFDVWGQGTMVTVSS — (SEQ ID NO 54) (SEQ ID NO 59) (SEQ ID NO 67) 4A12 SNSAAWN RTYYRSKWYNDYKVSVKS EGSHSGSGWYLDAFDI DAFDIWGQGTKVTVSS  1.61 (SEQ ID NO 55) (SEQ ID NO 60) (SEQ ID NO 63) (SEQ ID NO 68)

Example 14

High Human Lambda Variable Region Expression in Transgenic Mice Comprising Human Lambda Gene Segments Inserted into Endogenous Kappa Locus

Insertion of human lambda gene segments from a 1^(st) IGL BAC to the IGK locus of mouse AB2.1 ES cells (Baylor College of Medicine) was performed to create a chimaeric light chain allele denoted the P1 allele (FIG. 56). The inserted human sequence corresponds to the sequence of human chromosome 22 from position 23217291 to position 23327884 and comprises functional lambda gene segments Vλ3-1, Jλ1-Cλ1, Jλ2-Cλ2, Jλ3-Cλ3, Jλ6-Cλ6 and Jλ7-Cλ7. The insertion was made between positions 70674755 and 706747756 on mouse chromosome 6, which is upstream of the mouse Cκ region and 3′Eκ (ie, within 100 kb of the endogenous light chain enhancer) as shown in FIG. 56. The mouse Vκ and Jκ gene segments were retained in the chimaeric locus, immediately upstream of the inserted human lambda DNA. The mouse lambda loci were left intact. Mice homozygous for the chimaeric P1 locus were generated from the ES cells using standard procedures.

A second type of mice were produced (P2 mice) in which more human functional VΔ gene segments were inserted upstream (5′) of human Vλ3-1 by the sequential insertion of the BAC1 human DNA and then BAC2 DNA to create the P2 allele. The inserted human sequence from BAC2 corresponds to the sequence of human chromosome 22 from position 23064876 to position 23217287 and comprises functional lambda gene segments Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8 and Vλ4-3. Mice homozygous for the chimaeric P2 locus were generated from the ES cells using standard procedures.

FACS analysis of splenic B cells from the P1 and P2 homozygotes was performed to assess lambda versus kappa expression and human lambda versus mouse lambda expression in the transgenic mice.

Standard 5′-RACE was carried out to analyse RNA transcripts from the light chain loci in P2 homozygotes.

Light Chain Expression & FACS Analysis

To obtain a single cell suspension from spleen, the spleen was gently passage through a 30 μm cell strainer. Single cells were resuspended in Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) supplemented with 3% heat inactivated foetal calf serum (FCS).

The following antibodies were used for staining:

Rat anti-mouse lambda (mCΔ) phycoerythrin (PE) antibody (Southern Biotech), rat anti-mouse kappa (mCκ) (BD Pharmingen, clone 187.1) fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), anti-human lambda (hCΔ) (eBioscience, clone 1-155-2) phycoerythrin (PE), anti-B220/CD45R (eBioscience, clone RA3-6B2) allophycocyanin (APC). NB: light chains bearing human Cλ was expected to have variable regions derived from the rearrangement of inserted human Vλ and human Jλ. Light chains bearing mouse Cλ was expected to have variable regions derived from the rearrangement of mouse Vλ and Jλ from the endogenous lambda loci.

5×10⁶ cells were added to individual tubes, spun down to remove excess of fluid, and resuspended in fresh 100 μl of PBS+3% FCS. To each individual tube the following antibodies were added:

For staining of mλ versus Mκ 1 μl of each antibody was added in addition to 1 μl of B220/CD45R antibody. For detection of B cells expressing human lambda light chain, the mλ antibody was substituted with hλ antibody. Cells were incubated in the dark at 6° C. for 15 minutes followed by several washes with fresh PBS+3% FCS to remove unbound antibody. Cells were analysed using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyser from Miltenyi Biotech.

Alive spleenocytes were gated using side scatter (SSC) and forward scatter (FSC). Within the SSC and FSC gated population, a subpopulation of B220/CD45R (mouse B-cells) was detected using the APC fluorochrome. Single positive B220/CD45R population was further subdivided into a cell bearing either mλ or hλ PE fluorochrome in conjunction with mκ FITC fluorochrome. The percentage of each population was calculated using a gating system.

Surprisingly, FACS analysis of splenic B cells from the P1 homozygotes showed no detectable mouse Cκ expression (FIG. 57), indicating that insertion of the human lambda locus DNA from BAC1 interrupts expression of the endogenous IGK chain.

The strong expression of endogenous Cλ and weak expression of human Cλ in the splenic B cells grouped by FACS analysis (mouse Cλ: human Cλ=65: 32) in these mice suggest that inserted human IGL sequence, although interrupts the IGK activity, cannot totally compete with the endogenous IGL genes.

The FACS analysis again surprisingly showed no detectable mouse Cκ expression in the P2 homozygotes (FIGS. 58A & B). However, the human Cλ greatly predominates in expressed B cells grouped as mouse or human Cλ following FACS analysis (mouse Cλ: human Cλ=15:80 corresponding to a ratio of 15 mouse lambda variable regions:80 human lambda variable regions, ie, 84% human lambda variable regions with reference to the grouped B-cells—which corresponds to 80% of total B-cells) from the P2 homozygotes. While not wishing to be bound by any theory, we suggest that the inserted human lambda locus sequence from the 2^(nd) BAC provides some advantages to compete with endogenous lambda gene segment rearrangement or expression.

We analysed human Vλ and Jλ usage in the P2 homozygotes. See FIG. 59 which shows the human Vλ usage in P2 homozygotes. The observed usage was similar to that seen in humans (as per J Mol Biol. 1997 Apr. 25; 268(1):69-77; “The creation of diversity in the human immunoglobulin V(lambda) repertoire”; Ignatovich 0 et al). Further, the human Jλ usage was similar to that seen in humans (FIG. 60). The Vλ versus Vκ usage analysis of human Cλ transcripts by sequencing of non-bias 5′-RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) PCR clones showed that among 278 clone sequences, only one used Vκ for rearrangement to Jλ (human Jλ), and all others (277 clones) used human Vλ (FIGS. 61 & 62; Vλ2-5 was detected at the RNA transcript level, but this is a pseudogene which is usually not picked up by usage a the protein level). While not wishing to be bound by any theory, we suggest that the retained mouse Vκ gene segments essentially cannot efficiently rearrange with the inserted human Jλ gene segments because they have the same type of RSSs (recombination signal sequences; see explanation below) and are incompatible for rearrangement (FIG. 63). This result also indicates that the inactivation of the endogenous IGK activity and predominate expression of the inserted human lambda sequence can be achieved without further modification of the IGK locus, for example, deletion or inversion of endogenous kappa loci gene segments is not necessary, which greatly simplifies the generation of useful transgenic mice expressing light chains bearing human lambda variable regions (ie, variable regions produced by recombination of human Vλ and Jλ gene segments).

The arrangement of recombination signal sequences (RSSs) that mediate V(D)J recombination in vivo is discussed, eg, in Cell. 2002 April; 109 Suppl:S45-55; “The mechanism and regulation of chromosomal V(D)J recombination”; Bassing C H, Swat W, Alt F W (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). Two types of RSS element have been identified: a one-turn RSS (12-RSS) and a two-turn RSS (23-RSS). In natural VJ recombination in the lambda light chain locus, recombination is effected between a two-turn RSS that lies 3′ of a V lambda and a one-turn RSS that lies 5′ of a J lambda, the RSSs being in opposite orientation. In natural VJ recombination in the kappa light chain locus, recombination if effected between a one-turn RSS that lies 3′ of a V kappa and a two-turn RSS that lies 5′ of a J kappa, the RSSs being in opposite orientation. Thus, generally a two-turn RSS is compatible with a one-turn RSS in the opposite orientation.

Thus, the inventors have demonstrated how to (i) inactivate endogenous kappa chain expression by insertion of human lambda gene segments into the kappa locus; and (ii) how to achieve very high human lambda variable region expression (thus providing useful light chain repertoires for selection against target antigen)—even in the presence of endogenous lambda and kappa V gene segments. Thus, the inventors have shown how to significantly remove (lambda) or totally remove (kappa) V gene segment competition and thus endogenous light chain expression by the insertion of at least the functional human lambda gene segments comprised by BACs 1 and 2. In this example a very high level of human lambda variable region expression was surprisingly achieved (84% of total lambda chains and total light chains as explained above).

Example 15

High Human Lambda Variable Region Expression in Transgenic Mice Comprising Human Lambda Gene Segments Inserted into Endogenous Lambda Locus

Insertion of human lambda gene segments from the 1^(st) and 2^(nd) IGL BACs to the lambda locus of mouse AB2.1 ES cells (Baylor College of Medicine) was performed to create a lambda light chain allele denoted the L2 allele (FIG. 56). The inserted human sequence corresponds to the sequence of human chromosome 22 from position 23064876 to position 23327884 and comprises functional lambda gene segments Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, V2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3, Vλ3-1, Jλ1-Cλ1, Jλ2-Cλ2, Jλ3-Cλ3, Jλ6-Cλ6 and Jλ7-Cλ7. The insertion was made between positions 19047551 and 19047556 on mouse chromosome 16, which is upstream of the mouse Cλ region and between Eλ4-10 and Eλ3-1 (ie, within 100 kb of the endogenous light chain enhancers) as shown in FIG. 56. The mouse Vλ and Jλ gene segments were retained in the locus, immediately upstream of the inserted human lambda DNA. The mouse kappa loci were inactivated to prevent kappa chain expression. Mice homozygous for the L2 locus were generated from the ES cells using standard procedures.

Using a similar method to that of Example 14, FACS analysis of splenic B cells from the L2 homozygotes was performed to assess lambda versus kappa expression and human lambda versus mouse lambda expression in the transgenic mice.

Light Chain Expression & FACS Analysis

The FACS analysis of splenic B-cells in L2 homozygotes under the IGK knockout background (in which Vκ and Jκ gene segments have been retained) surprisingly showed that expression of human Cλ greatly predominates in B-cells grouped as mouse or human Cλ following FACS analysis (mouse Cλ: human Cλ=5:93 corresponding to a ratio of 5 mouse lambda variable regions:93 human lambda variable regions, ie, 95% human lambda variable regions with reference to the grouped B-cells—which corresponds to 93% of total B-cells) (FIG. 64A), demonstrating that inserted human IGλ gene segments within the endogenous IGλ locus can outcompete the endogenous IGλ gene segment rearrangement or expression.

Thus, the inventors have demonstrated how to achieve very high human lambda variable region expression (thus providing useful light chain repertoires for selection against target antigen)—even in the presence of endogenous lambda and kappa V gene segments. Thus, the inventors have shown how to significantly remove endogenous lambda V gene segment competition and thus endogenous lambda light chain expression by the insertion of at least the functional human lambda gene segments comprised by BACs 1 and 2. In this example a very high level of human lambda variable region expression was surprisingly achieved (95% of total lambda chains and total light chains as explained above).

These data indicate that mice carrying either P (Example 14) or L (Example 15) alleles produced by targeted insertion of the functional gene segments provided by BAC1 and BAC2 can function in rearrangement and expression in mature B cells. These two types of alleles are very useful for providing transgenic mice that produce human Ig lambda chains for therapeutic antibody discovery and as research tools.

Transgenic Mice of the Invention Expressing Human Lambda Variable Regions Develop Normal Splenic Compartments

In spleen, B cells are characterized as immature (T1 and T2) and mature (M) based on the levels of cell surface markers, IgM and IgD. T1 cells have high IgM and low IgD. T2 cells have medium levels of both them. M cells have low IgM but high IgD (FIG. 65). See also J Exp Med. 1999 Jul. 5; 190(1):75-89; “B cell development in the spleen takes place in discrete steps and is determined by the quality of B cell receptor-derived signals”; Loder F et al.

Using methods similar to those described in Example 16 below, splenic B-cells from the animals were scored for IgD and IgM expression using FACS. We compared control mice KA/KA (in which endogenous kappa chain expression has been inactivated, but not endogenous lambda chain expression) with L2/L2; KA/KA mice (L2 homozyotes). The L2 homozygotes surprisingly showed comparable splenic B-cell compartments to the control mice (FIG. 64B).

Example 16 Assessment of B-Cell and Ig Development in Transgenic Mice of the Invention

We observed normal Ig subtype expression & B-cell development in transgenic mice of the invention expressing antibodies with human heavy chain variable regions substantially in the absence of endogenous heavy and kappa chain expression.

Using ES cells and the RMCE genomic manipulation methods described above, mice were constructed with combinations of the following Ig locus alleles:—

S1F/HA, +/KA=(i) S1F—first endogenous heavy chain allele has one human heavy chain locus DNA insertion, endogenous mouse VDJ region has been inactivated by inversion and movement upstream on the chromosome (see the description above, where this allele is referred to as S1^(inv1)); (ii) HA—second endogenous heavy chain allele has been inactivated (by insertion of an endogenous interrupting sequence); (iii)+—first endogenous kappa allele is a wild-type kappa allele and (iv) KA—the second endogenous kappa allele has been inactivated (by insertion of an endogenous interrupting sequence). This arrangement encodes exclusively for heavy chains from the first endogenous heavy chain allele.

S1F/HA, K2/KA=(i) K2—the first endogenous kappa allele has two kappa chain locus DNA insertions between the most 3′ endogenous Jκ and the mouse Cκ, providing an insertion of 14 human Vκ and Jκ1-Jκ5; and (ii) KA—the second endogenous kappa allele has been inactivated (by insertion of an endogenous interrupting sequence). This arrangement encodes exclusively for heavy chains comprising human variable regions and substantially kappa light chains from the first endogenous kappa allele.

+/HA, K2/KA—this arrangement encodes for mouse heavy chains and human kappa chains.

+/HA, +/KA—this arrangement encodes for mouse heavy and kappa chains—the mice only produce mouse heavy and light chains.

In bone marrow, B progenitor populations are characterized based their surface markers, B220 and CD43. PreProB cells carry germline IGH and IGK/L configuration and have low B220 and high CD43 on their cell surface. ProB cells start to initiate VDJ recombination in the IGH locus and carry medium levels of both B220 and CD43. PreB cells carry rearranged IGH VDJ locus and start to initiate light chain VJ rearrangement, and have high B220 but low CD43. In spleen, B cells are characterized as immature (T1 and T2) and mature (M) based on the levels of cell surface markers, IgM and IgD. T1 cells have high IgM and low IgD. T2 cells have medium levels of both them. M cells have low IgM but high IgD (FIG. 65). See also J Exp Med. 1991 May 1; 173(5):1213-25; “Resolution and characterization of pro-B and pre-pro-B cell stages in normal mouse bone marrow”; Hardy R R et al and J Exp Med. 1999 Jul. 5; 190(1):75-89; “B cell development in the spleen takes place in discrete steps and is determined by the quality of B cell receptor-derived signals”; Loder F et al.

Transgenic Mice of the Invention Develop Normal Splenic and BM Compartments

(a) Analysis of the Splenic Compartment

For each mouse, to obtain a single cell suspension from spleen, the spleen was gently passaged through a 30 μm cell strainer. Single cells were resuspended in Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) supplemented with 3% heat inactivated foetal calf serum (FCS). 5×10⁶ cells were added to individual tubes, spun down to remove excess of fluid and resuspended in fresh 100 μl of PBS+3% FCS. To each individual tube the following antibodies were added: anti-B220/CD45R (eBioscience, clone RA3-6B2) allophycocyanin (APC), antibody against IgD receptor conjugated with phycoerythrin (PE) (eBioscience, clone 11-26) and antibody against IgM receptor conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) (eBioscience, clone 11/41).

For staining of IgM vs IgD, 5×10⁶ cells were used for each staining. To each vial containing splenocytes a cocktail of antibodies was added consisting of: anti-IgD (PE), anti-IgM (FITC) and anti-B220/CD45R (APC). Cells were incubated at 6° C. for 15 minutes, washed to remove excess unbound antibodies and analysed using a fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyser from Miltenyi Biotech. B-cells were gated as B220^(HIGH) IgM^(HIGH) IgD^(LOW) (ie, B220⁺IgM⁺IgD⁻) for T1 population, B220^(HIGH) IgM^(HIGH) IgD^(HIGH) (B220⁺IgM⁺IgD⁺) for T2 population and B220^(HIGH)IgM^(LOW)IgD^(HIGH) (B220⁺IgM⁻IgD⁺) for M population. Percentage of cells was calculated using gating system. We used gates to identify and define subsets of cell populations on plots with logarithmic scale. Before gates are applied a single stain antibody for each fluorochrome is used to discriminate between a positive (high intensity fluorochrome) and negative (no detectable intensity fluorchrome) population. Gates are applied based on fluorochrome intensities in the same manner to all samples. The single stains were:

IgD-PE IgM-FITC B220-APC

Alive spleenocytes were gated using side scatter (SSC) and forward scatter (FSC). Within the SSC and FSC gated population, a subpopulation of B220/CD45R positive cells (mouse B-cells) was detected using the APC fluorochrome. The single positive B220/CD45R population was further subdivided into a cell bearing either IgM fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or IgD fluorochrome in conjunction with mκ FITC fluorochrome. The percentage of each population was calculated using gating system. The splenic B-Cell compartments in the mice of the invention are normal (ie, equivalent to the compartments of mice expressing only mouse antibody chains).

(b) Bone Marrow B Progenitor Analysis

To obtain a single cell suspension from bone marrow for each mouse, the femur and tibia were flushed with Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) supplemented with 3% heat inactivated foetal calf serum (FCS). Cells were further passage through a 30 μm cell strainer to remove bone pieces or cell clumps. Cells were resuspended in cold PBS supplemented with 3% serum. 2×10⁶ cells were added to individual tubes, spun down to remove excess of buffer, and resuspended in fresh 100 μl of PBS+3% FCS. To each individual tube the following antibodies were added: anti-Leukosialin (CD43) fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) (eBioscience, clone eBioR2/60) and anti-B220/CD45R (eBioscience, clone RA3-6B2) allophycocyanin (APC). Cells were incubated in the dark at 6° C. for 15 minutes followed by several washes with fresh PBS+3% FCS to remove unbound antibody. Cells were analysed using a fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyser from Miltenyi Biotech. Alive bone marrow cells were gated using side scatter (SSC) and forward scatter (FSC). We used gates to identify and define subsets of cell populations on plots with logarithmic scale. Before gates are applied a single stain antibody for each fluorochrome is used to discriminate between a positive (high intensity fluorochrome) and negative (no detectable intensity fluorchrome) population. Gates are applied based on fluorochrome intensities in the same manner to all samples. The single stains were:

B220-APC CD43-FITC

Within the alive population a double population of B220/CD45R and CD43 positive cells was identified as a pre-B, pro-B and pre-pro B cells. The splenic B-Cell compartments in the mice of the invention are normal (ie, equivalent to the compartments of mice expressing only mouse antibody chains).

Transgenic Mice of the Invention Develop Normal Ig Expression Quantification of Serum IgM and IgG

96-well NUNC plates were coated initially with a capture antibody (goat anti-mouse Fab antibody at 1 μg/ml) overnight at 4° C.). The IgG plates used anti-Fab, (M4155 Sigma) and the IgM plates used anti-Fab (OBT1527 AbD Serotec). Following three washes with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) containing 0.1% v/v Tween20, plates were blocked with 200 μl of PBS containing 1% w/v bovine serum albumin (BSA) for 1 hour at room temperature (RT). The plates were washed three times as above and then 50 μl of standards (control mouse isotype antibodies, IgG1 (M9269 Sigma), IgG2a (M9144 Sigma), IgG2b (M8894 sigma), IgM (M3795 Sigma) or serum samples diluted in PBS with 0.1% BSA were added to each well, and incubated for 1 hour at RT. After washing three times as above 100 μl of detection antibody (goat anti-mouse isotype specific antibody-horseradish peroxidase conjugated, 1/10000 in PBS with 0.1% Tween) (anti-mouse IgG1 (STAR132P AbD Serotec), anti-mouse IgG2a (STAR133P AdD Serotec), anti-mouse IgG2b (STAR134P AbD Serotec) and anti-mouse IgM (ab97230 Abcam) were added into each well and incubated for 1 hour at RT. The plates were washed three times as above and developed using tetramethylbenzidine substrate (TMB, Sigma) for 4-5 minutes in the dark at RT. Development was stopped by adding 50 μl/well of 1 M sulfuric acid. The plates were read with a Biotek Synergy HT plate reader at 450 nm.

Conclusion:

Inversion of endogenous V_(H)-D-J_(H) following the human IGH BAC insertion results in inactivation of rearrangement of endogenous V_(H) to inserted human D-J_(H). The inventors observed, however, that surprisingly the inactivation of endogenous heavy chain expression does not change the ratio of B-cells in the splenic compartment (FIG. 66) or bone marrow B progenitor compartment (FIG. 67) and the immunoglobulin levels in serum are normal and the correct Ig subtypes are expressed (FIG. 68). This was shown in mice expressing human heavy chain variable regions with mouse light chains (FIGS. 66A and 67A) as well as in mice expressing both human heavy chain variable regions and human light chain variable regions (FIGS. 66B and 67B). These data demonstrate that inserted human IGH gene segments (an insertion of at least human V_(H) gene segments V_(H)2-5, 7-4-1, 4-4, 1-3, 1-2, 6-1, and all the human D and J_(H) gene segments D1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 1-7, 2-8, 3-9, 5-12, 6-13, 2-15, 3-16, 4-17, 6-19, 1-20, 2-21, 3-22, 6-25, 1-26 and 7-27; and J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 and J6) are fully functional in the aspect of rearrangement, BCR signalling and B cell maturation. Functionality is retained also when human light chain VJ gene segments are inserted to provide transgenic light chains, as per the insertion used to create the K2 allele. This insertion is an insertion comprising human gene segments Vκ2-24, Vκ3-20, Vκ1-17, Vκ1-16, Vκ3-15, Vκ1-13, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-9, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-5, Vκ5-2, Vκ4-1, Jκ1, Jκ2, Jκ3, Jκ4 and Jκ5. Greater than 90% of the antibodies expressed by the S1F/HA; K2/KA mice comprised human heavy chain variable regions and human kappa light chain variable regions. These mice are, therefore, very useful for the selection of antibodies having human variable regions that specifically bind human antigen following immunisation of the mice with such antigen. Following isolation of such an antibody, the skilled person can replace the mouse constant regions with human constant regions using conventional techniques to arrive at totally human antibodies which are useful as drug candidates for administration to humans (optionally following mutation or adaptation to produce a further derivative, eg, with Fc enhancement or inactivation or following conjugation to a toxic payload or reporter or label or other active moiety).

A further experiment was carried out to assess the IgG and IgM levels and relative proportions in transgenic mice of the invention that express antibodies that have human heavy and light (kappa) variable regions (S1F/HA, K2/KA mice; n=15). These were compared against 12 mice expressing only mouse antibody chains (+/HA, +/KA (n=6) and wild-type mice (WT; n=6)). The results are tabulated below (Table 6) and shown in FIG. 69.

It can be seen that the mice of the invention, in which essentially all heavy chain variable regions are human heavy chain variable regions, expressed normal proportions of IgM and IgG subtypes, and also total IgG relative to IgM was normal.

TABLE 6 IgG1 IgG2a IgG2b IgM Total IgG + IgM (μg/mL) (μg/mL) (μg/mL) (μg/mL) (μg/mL) KMCB22.1a S1F/HA, K2/KA 30.5 38.3 49.9 224.4 343.1 KMCB 19.1d S1F/HA, K2/KA 103.6 181.2 85.6 351.7 722.1 KMCB 19.1h S1F/HA, K2/KA 191.4 456.6 383.3 643.2 1674.6 KMCB 20.1a 53.6 384.4 249.7 427.1 1114.7 S1F/HA, K2/KA KMCB 20.1c 87.3 167.0 125.7 422.1 802.1 S1F/HA, K2/KA KMCB 20.1f 55.4 177.2 95.6 295.7 623.9 S1F/HA, K2/KA KMCB22.1f S1F/HA, 61.1 56.3 111.4 245.8 474.5 K2/KA KMCB23.1c 71.4 70.7 80.5 585.4 808.0 S1F/HA, K2/KA KMCB23.1d 65.4 148.7 187.4 255.4 657.0 S1F/HA, K2/KA KMCB24.1f S1F/HA, 60.0 56.6 150.5 294.8 561.9 K2/KA KMCB13.1a 101.2 200.5 269.8 144.1 715.7 S1F/HA, K2/KA KMCB13.1d 124.5 117.5 246.6 183.2 671.9 S1F/HA, K2/KA KMCB17.1f S1F/HA, 58.3 174.2 116.2 218.1 566.8 K2/KA KMCB14.1a 51.9 46.5 27.9 222.2 348.6 S1F/HA, K2/KA KMCB14.1b 11.5 54.2 48.5 194.4 308.6 S1F/HA, K2/KA KMCB19.1e +/HA, 233.0 6.7 465.6 420.9 1126.3 +/KA KMCB19.1f +/HA, 154.3 4.6 610.2 435.7 1204.8 +/KA KMCB19.1l +/HA, 113.5 1.1 246.8 374.6 736.0 +/KA KMCB20.1e +/HA, 561.0 4.3 614.3 482.1 1661.7 +/KA KMCB13.1e +/HA, 439.3 17.1 584.1 196.9 1237.3 +/KA KMCB14.1c +/HA, 93.4 1.3 112.0 106.8 313.6 +/KA KMWT 1.3c WT 212.9 155.2 104.6 233.7 706.4 KMWT 1.3d WT 297.1 203.2 144.6 248.6 893.5 KMWT 1.3e WT 143.1 174.2 619.1 251.8 1188.2 KMWT 1.3f WT 218.8 86.8 256.1 294.8 856.4 KMWT 1.3b WT 150.2 114.2 114.7 225.6 604.7 KMWT 3.1e WT 125.9 335.5 174.6 248.9 884.9

Example 17 Assessment of Kappa: Lambda Ratio & Splenic B-Cell Compartments in Transgenic Mice of the Invention

Mice comprising the following genomes were obtained.

WT/WT=wild-type; KA/KA=each endogenous kappa allele has been inactivated; and the endogenous lambda loci are left intact; K3F/K3F=each endogenous kappa allele has three kappa chain locus DNA insertions between the 3′ most endogenous Jκ and the mouse Cκ, providing insertion of human V gene segments V_(K)2-40, V_(K)1-39, Vκ1-33, Vκ2-30, Vκ2-29, Vκ2-28, Vκ1-27, Vκ2-24, Vκ3-20, Vκ1-17, Vκ1-16, Vκ3-15, Vκ1-13, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-9, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-5, Vκ5-2 and Vκ4-1 and human J gene segments Jκ1, Jκ2, Jκ3, Jκ4 and Jκ5 (the human V gene segments being 5′ of the human J gene segments); each endogenous kappa VJ has been inactivated by inversion and movement upstream on the chromosome; and the endogenous lambda loci are left intact; L2/L2=as described in Example 15 (L2 homozygotes where human lambda variable region DNA has been inserted into the endogenous lambda loci; the endogenous kappa loci are left intact); L2/L2;KA/KA=as L2/L2 but the endogenous kappa alleles have been inactivated (by insertion of an endogenous interrupting sequence=KA); L3/L3;KA/KA=as L2/L2;KA/KA but supplemented by a third human lambda variable region DNA insertion 5′ of the second lambda DNA insertion in the endogenous lambda loci such that the following human lambda gene segments are inserted between 3′ most endogenous Jλ and the mouse Cλ: human V gene segments Vλ3-27, Vλ3-25, Vλ2-23, Vλ3-22, Vλ3-21, Vλ3-19, Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, Vλ2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3 and Vλ3-1, human J and C gene segments Jλ1-Cλ1, Jλ2-Cλ2, Jλ3-Cλ3, Jλ6-Cλ6 and Jλ7-Cλ7 (non functional segments Jλ4-Cλ4, Jλ5-Cλ5 were also included), thus providing an insertion corresponding to coordinates 22886217 to 23327884 of human chromosome 22 inserted immediately after position 19047551 on mouse chromosome 16; S3F/HA;KA/KA;L3/L3=first endogenous heavy chain allele has three human heavy chain variable region DNA insertions between the 3′ most endogenous J_(H) and the E_(μ), providing insertion of human gene segments V_(H)2-26, V_(H)1-24, V_(H)3-23, V_(H)3-21, V_(H)3-20, V_(H)1-18, V_(H)3-15, V_(H)3-13, V_(H)3-11, V_(H)3-9, V_(H)1-8, V_(H)3-7, V_(H)2-5, V_(H)7-4-1, V_(H)4-4, V_(H)1-3, V_(H)1-2, V_(H)6-1, D1-1, D2-2, D3-9, D3-10, D4-11, D5-12, D6-13, D1-14, D2-15, D3-16, D4-17, D5-18, D6-19, D1-20, D2-21, D3-22, D4-23, D5-24, D6-25, D1-26, D7-27, J_(H)1, J_(H)2, J_(H)3, J_(H)4, J_(H)5 and J_(H)6 (in the order: human V gene segments, human D gene segments and human J gene segments); the endogenous heavy chain VDJ sequence has been inactivated by inversion and movement upstream on the chromosome; and the endogenous lambda loci are left intact; the second endogenous heavy chain allele has been inactivated by insertion of an endogenous interrupting sequence=HA); the endogenous kappa alleles have been inactivated (=KA/KA); and the endogenous lambda alleles have been modified by insertion of human lambda variable region DNA (=L3/L3); P2/WT=P2 allele (human lambda variable region DNA as described in Example 14) at one endogenous kappa locus; the other endogenous kappa locus left intact; both endogenous lambda loci left intact; P2/P2=see Example 14; both endogenous lambda loci left intact; P2/K2=P2 allele at one endogenous kappa locus; the other endogenous kappa locus having two DNA insertions between the 3′ most endogenous Jκ and the mouse Cκ, providing insertion of human V gene segments Vκ2-24, Vκ3-20, Vκ1-17, Vκ1-16, Vκ3-15, Vκ1-13, Vκ1-12, Vκ3-11, Vκ1-9, Vκ1-8, Vκ1-6, Vκ1-5, Vκ5-2 and Vκ4-1 and human J gene segments Jκ1, Jκ2, Jκ3, Jκ4 and Jκ5 (the human V gene segments being 5′ of the human J gene segments); both endogenous lambda loci left intact;

P3/K3F=as one endogenous kappa locus having an insertion between the following human lambda gene segments are inserted between the 3′ most endogenous Jκ and the mouse Cκ, providing insertion of human V gene segments Vλ3-27, Vλ3-25, Vλ2-23, Vλ3-22, Vλ3-21, Vλ3-19, Vλ2-18, Vλ3-16, Vλ2-14, Vλ3-12, Vλ2-11, Vλ3-10, Vλ3-9, Vλ2-8, Vλ4-3 and Vλ3-1, human J and C gene segments Jλ1-Cλ1, Jλ2-Cλ2, Jλ3-Cλ3, Jλ6-Cλ6 and Jλ7-Cλ7 (non functional segments Jλ4-Cλ4, Jλ5-Cλ5 were also included), thus providing an insertion corresponding to coordinates 22886217 to 23327884 of human chromosome 22 inserted immediately after position 70674755 on mouse chromosome 6; the other endogenous kappa locus having the K3F allele described above (human V and J kappa gene segments inserted); both endogenous lambda loci left intact;

P2/P2; L2/WT=As P2/P2 but wherein one endogenous lambda locus has the L2 allele (human lambda V and J gene segments inserted) and the other endogenous lambda locus is wild-type; and

P2/P2; L2/L2=homozygous for P2 and L2 alleles at endogenous kappa and lambda loci respectively.

FACS analysis of splenic B-cells (as described above) was carried out and proportions of light chain expression were determined. We also determined the proportions of T1, T2 and mature (M) splenic B-cells and compared with wild-type mice, in order to assess whether or not we obtained normal splenic B-cell compartments in the transgenic mice. The results are shown in Tables 7 and 8. We also assessed the proportion of B220 positive cells as an indication of the proportion of B-cells in the splenic cell samples.

TABLE 7 Comparisons With Mice With Human Lambda Variable Region Inserts At Endogenous Lambda Locus IGL percentage Splenic B-cell compartment Genotype B220 mIGκ mIGλ hIGλ T1 T2 M WT/WT (n = 2)   20%  90% 3.80% 16% 16.5 57.50%   KA/KA (n = 2) 13.60% 0.28% 68.50%   0% 33%    9% 41% K3F/K3F (n = 2)   20%  83%   7% 16% 15.50% 58% L2/L2 (n = 2) 17.80% 91.60%  1.60% 6.50%  21.50%     10% 50% L2/L2; KA/KA  9.10%   0%   5% 93% 28%    7% 44% (n = 1) L3/L3; KA/KA 16.90% 0.10% 4.50% 93.20%   17.40%   13.10% 53.90%   (n = 2) S3F/HA; KA/K;   19% 0.20% 3.80% 98% 15.50%     19% 53.20%   L3/L3 (n = 1)

TABLE 8 Mice With Human Lambda Variable Region Inserts At Endogenous Kappa Locus IGL Percentage Splenic B-cell compartment Genotype B220 mIGκ mIGλ hIGλ T1 T2 M P2/WT (n = 2) N.D  90% 4.20%  6.55% 17.30%  8.90% 52.50% P2/P2 (n = 2) 14.80% 0.20%  15%   76% 27.50%   12%   42% P2/K2 (n = 2) 18.20% 78.80%  7.90% 15.60% 19.50%   12%   50% P3/K3F (n = 2) 18.40% 64.80%  11.60%  19.40% 11.80% 18.40% 56.10% P2/P2; L2/WT 20.40% 0.05% 8.50%   94% 13.10% 16.10% 59.90% (n = 2) P2/P2; L2/L2 12.70% 0.07% 5.10% 95.40% 13.40% 13.80% 57.30% (n = 2)

CONCLUSIONS

As demonstrated by L2/L2;KA/KA and L3/L3;KA/KA, the human lambda variable region DNA insertions at the endogenous lambda locus (with an endogenous kappa knockout) displayed predominate expression of light chains bearing human lambda variable regions (indicated by the expression of Cλ-positive chains at around 93%). This surprisingly occurs even though endogenous mouse lambda variable region DNA is still present, indicating that the inserted human lambda variable region DNA can outcompete endogenous IGλ rearrangement.

Furthermore, mice having the human V and J gene segments present in the homozygous L3 insertion produce B-cells (B220 positive cells) at a proportion that is similar to wild-type and additionally produce a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells as determined by FACS, (ie, similar to wild-type). This is confirmed not only by the L3/L3;KA/KA mice, but also was observed for S3F/HA;KA/KA;L3/L3, which also comprises a chimaeric (human-mouse) IgH locus.

Also, we observed that mice having the human V and J gene segments present in the homozygous K3F insertion produce B-cells (B220 positive cells) at a proportion that is similar to wild-type and additionally produce a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells as determined by FACS (ie, similar to wild-type).

Mice having the human V and J gene segments present in the homozygous P2 insertion at the endogenous kappa locus showed high expression of light chains comprising human lambda variable regions (as indicated by an observed proportion of 76%). We could skew to an even higher percentage overall by combining insertion of human lambda V and J gene segments at both the endogenous kappa and lambda loci (see P2/P2; L2/WT at around 94% and P2/P2; L2/L2 at around 95%). Furthermore, mice comprising the human V and J gene segment arrangement of P2/P2; L2/L2 produce a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells as determined by FACS (ie, similar to wild-type).

When human lambda V and J gene segments were inserted at one endogenous kappa locus and the other endogenous kappa locus comprised an insertion of human kappa V and J gene segments, we obtained mice that could express light chains comprising lambda variable regions and also light chains comprising kappa variable regions. Surprisingly observed that we could raise the proportion of light chains comprising lambda variable regions above that seen in a wild-type mouse where only 5% or less of light chains typically comprise lambda variable regions. We observed a proportion of around 22% for the P2/K2 genotype and around 31% for the P3/K3F genotype. The proprtion observed with the latter genotype approximates that seen in a human where typically around 60% of light chains comprise kappa variable regions and around 40% of light chains comprise lambda variable regions. Also in the P2/K2 and P3/K3F cases, the mice produced a normal proportion of B-cells as compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, mice comprising the human V and J gene segment arrangement of P3/K3F produce a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells as determined by FACS (ie, similar to wild-type).

Other Embodiments

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that variations and modifications may be made to the invention described herein to adopt it to various usages and conditions. Such embodiments are also within the scope of the following claims.

The recitation of a listing of elements in any definition of a variable herein includes definitions of that variable as any single element or combination (or subcombination) of listed elements. The recitation of an embodiment herein includes that embodiment as any single embodiment or in combination with any other embodiments or portions thereof.

All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference 

1. A method of obtaining an antigen specific antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, said antibody comprising a human immunoglobulin light (IgH) chain, wherein said human IgH chain comprises a human IgH chain variable region and a human IgH chain constant region, and said fragment comprising a human IgH chain variable region, the method comprising: expressing the antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof, from a cell, wherein the cell comprises a nucleic acid encoding said human IgH chain variable region and said human IgH chain constant region of said antibody, or expressing the antigen binding fragment from a cell, wherein the cell comprises a nucleic acid encoding said human IgH chain variable region, wherein said human IgH chain variable region is of a transgenic mouse contacted with said antigen; wherein the germline of said mouse has a genome with a homozygous chimeric immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus, wherein said homozygous IgH locus comprises unrearranged human IgH V gene segments, D gene segments and J gene segments at an endogenous IgH locus upstream of an enhancer and a constant (C) region comprising a mouse CH gene segment, wherein said human IgH gene segments join to mouse J/C intron DNA at a chimeric junction upstream of said enhancer, said unrearranged human IgH V gene segments, D gene segments and J gene segments comprise all the functional human D and JH gene segments and human V gene segments Vh2-5, Vh7-41, Vh-4-4, Vh1-3, Vh1-2 and Vh6-1, wherein said human JH gene segments comprise a human 3′JH, said 3′ JH being contiguous with human J/C intronic DNA, wherein said 3′JH is less than 2 kb upstream of said chimeric DNA junction, wherein said mouse J/C intron DNA between said chimeric junction and said enhancer comprises said mouse 129 strain or C57BL/6 strain DNA, wherein bone marrow B cells of said mouse comprise more pro-B cells than pre-B cells, wherein said pro B cells express CD43^(Med) B220^(Med) and said pre B cells express CD43^(low) B220^(high), wherein said transgenic mouse expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains comprising human variable regions.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said cell is a first cell, and wherein said human IgH chain variable region is obtained from a second cell comprising nucleic acid encoding said human IgH chain variable region, and wherein said second cell is of a transgenic mouse contacted with said antigen.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said second cell is selected from the group consisting of: a B cell of a transgenic mouse contacted with said antigen; a cell comprising nucleic acid encoding said human IgH chain variable region and a mouse IgH constant region; a hybridoma expressing said human IgH chain variable region; a plurality of cells comprising nucleic acid encoding human IgH chain variable regions; and an immortalised cell comprising nucleic acid encoding said human IgH chain variable region.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein in said mouse germline said 3′-JH gene segment comprises a human JH6 gene segment.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein in said mouse germline DNA said human DNA downstream of said human 3′JH gene segment comprises a truncated human JC intron and said mouse JC intronic DNA comprises a truncated mouse JC intron.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein in said mouse germline having said 129 strain DNA is 129Sv.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said C region comprises a mouse Cμ gene segment.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said mouse Cμ gene segment comprise mouse 129 strain DNA.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said human DNA contiguous with said human 3′JH gene segment comprises 400 base pairs of human JC intron DNA.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said human IgH V gene segments, D gene segments and J gene segments are operably linked to said C region to permit expression of an Ig heavy chain polypeptide comprising a human variable region and a mouse constant region.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said mouse is functional to produce antibody isotypes IgM and IgG specific for said antigen each isotype comprising a human heavy chain variable region.
 12. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising recovering a substance selected from the group consisting of: said antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof; said nucleic acid encoding said human IgH chain variable region; and said cell expressing said antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof.
 13. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising the step of providing a pharmaceutical composition comprising said antigen-specific antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing said antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof to a human subject.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said antigen-specific antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof is a monoclonal antibody, domain antibody, and/or a neutralizing antibody.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein in said mouse germline said unrearranged human IgH VH gene segments further comprise human V6-1, Vll-1-1, V1-2, Vlll-2-1, V1-3, V4-4 and V2-5 gene segments.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein in said mouse germline said unrearranged human IgH VH gene segments comprise all of the human V, D and J gene segments.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the mouse expresses a normal relative proportion of serum IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgM antibodies.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein said mouse produces a normal proportion or percentage of mature splenic B-cells and/or a normal proportion or percentage of bone marrow B-cell progenitor cells.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein said germline comprises all or part of said mouse heavy chain variable region inverted with respect to said heavy chain constant region.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein said germline comprises all or part of said mouse heavy chain variable region away from said heavy chain constant region.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein said germline comprises all, part or none of said mouse heavy chain variable region.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein said mouse does not express endogenous IgH heavy chain.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the mouse further comprises the human V gene segments Vh2-26, Vh1-24, Vh3-23, Vh3-21, Vh3-20, Vh1-18, Vh3-15, Vh3-13, Vh3-11, Vh3-9, Vh1-8, and Vh3-7.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein the mouse further comprises the human V gene segments Vh3-13, Vh3-11, Vh3-9, Vh1-8, and Vh3-7, wherein said transgenic mouse expresses immunoglobulin heavy chains comprising human variable regions Vh3-13, Vh3-11, Vh3-9, Vhf-8, and Vh3-7, and wherein no more than 35% of IgH chains comprise a mouse variable region. 